Measurement of graphene dispersion in cementitious systems

**为什么在水泥中加入石墨烯？**石墨烯技术是水泥行业脱碳的关键基石。使用石墨烯添加剂可以提高混凝土的强度、耐水性和耐化学性。实现这些利益；在混凝土配料过程中必须加入石墨烯并充分混合。这些改进可以导致使用低熟料因子水泥或减少水泥在设计混凝土中的使用。减少水泥的使用可以减少混凝土产品的隐含二氧化碳。**测量问题**石墨烯的机械和化学效益只有在石墨烯完全分散的情况下才能实现。目前还不可能测量石墨烯在混凝土中的分散。该项目将确定是否可以使用快速、非破坏性的技术检测固化水泥砂浆样品中石墨烯分散的差异。**不含石墨烯、石墨烯分散良好和石墨烯分散不良的砂浆样品将提供给国家物理实验室。一旦到达那里，样品将使用太赫兹、微波和波导技术进行探测，以努力测量它们之间的色散差异。我们将评估每一种技术区分分散性差的石墨烯添加剂和分散性好的添加剂的能力。通过确定一种快速、非破坏性的方法来表征这一关键材料特性，可以缩短产品开发周期，并为下游用户提供更大的保证。最终，它为加速这种材料的采用提供了一条途径，并支持推动净零碳经济。

**Why Graphene in Cement?**Graphene technology is a key stepping stone in de-carbonising the cement industry. Strength improvements, water resistance, and chemical resistance can be imparted on concrete by using a graphene additive. To achieve these benefits; graphene must be added and adequately mixed during the concrete batching process. These improvements can result in the use of lower clinker factor cements or reduction of cement usage in designed concrete. Reducing cement usage can reduce embodied CO2 of concrete products.**Measurement Issue**Mechanical and chemical benefits of graphene are only realised when the graphene is thoroughly dispersed. Measurement of graphene dispersion in concrete is not currently possible. This project will determine if differences in graphene dispersion can be detected in cured cement mortar samples using fast, non-destructive techniques.**Project Activity Brief**Mortar samples containing no graphene, well dispersed graphene, and poorly dispersed graphene will be provided to the National Physical Laboratory. Once there, samples will be probed using terahertz, microwave and waveguide techniques in an effort to measure dispersion differences between them. Each of these techniques will be evaluated for the ability to distinguish poorly dispersed graphene additives and well-dispersed additives. By identifying a rapid, non-destructive method to characterise this key material property, product development cycles can be shorted, and greater assurance provided to downstream users. Ultimately it offers a route to accelerate the adoption of this material, and support the drive to a Net Zero carbon economy.