Effect of graphene oxide in blended mortar for mechanical performance, microstructure and mass loss properties

The application of Graphene Oxide (GO) has gained significant traction in recent years due to its ability to provide substantial enhancements to cementitious-based materials. Despite this widespread exploration, a critical gap exists in the literature regarding the comprehensive corrosion assessment of GO-blended mortars. Current studies often limit their corrosion evaluation to basic methods, such as the Rapid Chloride Penetration Test (RCPT) and the Half Cell Potential Test (HCP). This omission leaves a specific area of study untouched: the quantification of Mass Loss, which is essential for defining GO’s role as a protective barrier within the cement matrix. Therefore, this study was initiated with the primary focus on evaluating the corrosion protective resilience of GO within a blended mortar system. The blended mortar formulation was established through a preliminary testing phase that compared the physical, mechanical, and durability properties of two Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs), specifically Fly Ash and GGBS at fixed replacement rates (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%). The resulting optimal binder formulation then became the base for the main phase named as binder modification, which involved a deeper investigation into various GO dosages as additives. A comprehensive mechanical and microstructural assessment were conducted across these GO modified mixes. The final, critical phase of the study involved verifying the binder modification results through calculated mass loss determined via Faraday's Law. The experimental data strongly indicated that the optimal Mix 30SG2 (0.02% GO) achieved an 88.24% reduction in mass loss with an extended service life up to 86 days under normal conditions. This superior performance significantly demonstrates how GO can be fully engaged in its protective mechanism, acting through four key synergistic effects: the filling effect, nucleation effect, bonding effect, and the labyrinth effect. This robust methodology ultimately provides the necessary quantitative support to advance the understanding of GO's potential as a reliable durability additive.