Acoustic emission investigation of the effect of graphene on the fracture behavior of cement mortars

Graphene-modified cements are envisioned as next-generation multifunctional construction materials with superior mechanical performance and smart strain sensing capabilities. The presence study aims to fill the current lack of knowledge on the effect of graphene presence on the fracture behavior and mechanical response of nanoplatelet-modified mortars. Pure bending, compression and fracture tests with simultaneous AE monitoring were carried out on specimens fabricated by introduction of pure few-layer graphene nanoplatelets in the mixture by aid of a superplasticizer doubling as surfactant. The nanoplatelets were found responsible for dramatic improvements of the order of 1700% in the fracture energy requirements of the mortars. The improvements were independently validated by acoustic emission data which also highlighted the very high energy dissipation potential of graphene nanoplatelets which endowed ductility to the highly-brittle plain material and indicated a shift in the fracture mode of the mortars from shear to tensile attributed exclusively to platelet presence.