INFLUENCE OF GRAPHENE OXIDE ADDITIVES ON STRENGTH ENHANCEMENT OF STRUCTURAL CONCRETE: A REVIEW

Abstract

Graphene oxide (GO), a two-dimensional carbon nanomaterial, has emerged as a promising additive for enhancing the mechanical properties of structural concrete. This review synthesizes recent peer-reviewed literature examining the influence of GO on compressive strength, flexural strength, tensile strength, and microstructural of concrete composites. Analysis of 45 empirical studies and reviews characteristics reveals that optimal GO dosages (0.01–0.10% by weight of cement) consistently improve compressive strength by 9–77%, flexural strength by 6–78%, and tensile strength by 12–79%. GO achieves these enhancements through three primary mechanisms: (1) acceleration of cement hydration kinetics, (2) densification of the cement matrix through refined pore structure and reduced porosity, and (3) izmproved interfacial bonding at the cement–aggregate and nanofiller interfaces. However, critical challenges persist: GO exhibits poor dispersibility in the alkaline cement environment, leading to agglomeration at dosages exceeding optimal thresholds; cost and scalability remain significant barriers to industrial adoption; and long-term durability data under diverse environmental conditions remain limited. This review identifies research gaps regarding full-scale structural applications, synergistic effects with supplementary cementitious materials, and the optimal GO dosage variability across concrete grades. Future investigations must prioritize dispersion strategies, cost reduction, sustainability metrics, and validation through large-scale structural testing to enable widespread implementation of GO-enhanced concrete in critical infrastructure.