Effect of graphene oxide-coated jute fiber on mechanical and durability properties of concrete mixtures

Abstract

Various methods are applied in order to improve the mechanical properties of concrete and to provide ductility. The most common method is the addition of fiber to cementitious systems. The fibers used in cementitious systems are divided into two categories: artificial and natural. Natural fibers are preferred due to their lower production cost, lower environmental impacts such as lower carbon emissions and fossil fuel consumption, biodegradability, lower density and ease of manufacturing. On the other hand, graphene-derived materials have been proven to improve the mechanical and interface properties between fiber and matrix. In this study, the effect of surface treatment of jute fibers with various chemical treatments and graphene oxide coating on the mechanical and some durability performances of concrete mixtures was investigated. For this purpose, the surface of jute fibers was roughened with graphene oxide coating. Within the scope of the experimental study, different fiber concrete mixtures were prepared by adding jute fibers of 30 and 50 mm length to the mixture at 0.25 and 0.5 % of the total volume in addition to the fiber-free control mixture. The fiber was used in 2 different ways, both without any treatment and by coating the surface with graphene oxide. Slump tests were performed on the concrete mixtures produced. The 28-day hardened concrete specimens were tested for compressive strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, ultrasonic pulse velocity and depth of water penetration under pressure. The resistance of the concrete specimens at 300 and 600 degrees C high temperatures and after 300 cycles of freeze-thaw was determined by examining their compressive strength. In addition, the microstructural properties of the jute fiber specimens were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).