Microstructural, durability and colorimetric properties of concrete coated with a controlled application of graphene oxide
Andrea Antolín-Rodríguez, Daniel Merino-Maldonado, María Fernández‐Raga, José M. González‐Domínguez, Julia M Morán-del Pozo, Morán-del Pozo, Julia García-González, Andrés Juan-Valdés
Abstract
The present work analyzes how an aqueous suspension of graphene oxide (GO), as a surface treatment, can influence the properties of conventional concrete. The results show that the application of a GO surface coating on concrete improves its resistance to carbonation and chloride ion penetration, and also increases its electrical resistivity. In the best case, the GO coating can reduce carbonation by 40% and chloride ion diffusion by 75%. An increase of up to 75% in concrete resistivity was also achieved. The application of GO promotes the hydration process and densifies the microstructure of the concrete surface, and this is verified by scanning electron microscopy analysis. In addition, no color modification occurred after application of the treatment.