Relationship between oxygen content of graphene and mechanical properties of cement-based composites

Cement composites were realized containing graphene-based materials having different oxygen content (from 0 to 45%). It was found that the polarity of the reinforcement influences both the dispersion in water and the chemical interaction with the hydrated cement matrix, and thus the mechanical performance of the composites. In particular, the reinforcements with the highest oxygen content result aggregated while the cement with the highest strength is obtained with functionalized graphene, containing 5% oxygen, where the surface has sufficient polar groups to guarantee proper dispersion and interaction with the hydrated cement.