Nanomaterial-infused pozzolana portland cement composite: Exploring mechanical strength, durability, and microstructure properties

In the present investigation, a comparison of Graphene Oxide (GO) and Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (FMWCNTs) incorporated in Pozzolana Portland Cement (PPC) mortar was carried out to find their influence on mechanical and durability properties. It has been observed that Pozzolana Portland Cement Carbon-Based Nano-Composites (PCCNCs) mortar has outstanding mechanical and durability properties. The finding shows that the PPC-1G (0.0015% of GO by weight % of cement) and the PPC-1C (0.0015% of FMWCNTs by weight % of cement) showed the greatest improvement in mechanical and durability performance over the curing period of 90 days (d). When PPC-1G and PPC-1C were compared with the reference (PPC-Control) sample, their compressive strengths increased by 11.67% and 8.73%, respectively. In terms of tensile splitting strength, PPC-1G and PPC-1C had shown a 26.35% and a 20.61% increment, respectively, as compared to PPC-Control. The C-S-H gel grows efficiently in the PCCNCs mortar, as per Powdered X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) data. It is possible to determine the carbonates present in the PCCNCs mortar by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Furthermore, the microstructural behavior of PCCNCs mortar revealed by the Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) indicates that the production of ettringite and needle-shaped structures contributes to the enhancement of the mechanical strength and durability properties of the PCCNCs mortar. The research paves the way for incorporating GO and FMWCNTs in cement-based materials. This tremendous advancement holds enormous promise for the advancement of the building and infrastructure sectors. Implementing high-performance mortars has the potential to increase the strength, durability, and sustainability of structures, hence contributing to the development of safer and more resilient built environments.