Multicomponent Portland cement composites modified with graphene oxide: hydration and mechanical properties

We report here on the effect of the addition of graphene oxide on the basic properties of multicomponent Portland cements. Cement mortars incorporating two different dosages of graphene oxide (0.025 wt.% and 0.05 wt.%) were manufactured with the use of Portland cement containing limestone as well as cement containing granulated blast furnace slag, and, for comparison, ordinary Portland cement. We then further investigated the hydration heat by means of semi-adiabatic calorimetry, mechanical properties by means of flexural and compressive strength tests as well as comprehensive microstructural analysis of cement mortars at the age of 28 days, proving a considerable difference in the influence of graphene oxide on the performance of various Portland cements. In contrast to Portland cement type I, the addition of graphene oxide proved to affect negatively the formation of microstructure and mechanical properties of cement mortars made out of multicomponent cements.