Multi-Scale Modeling of Transport Properties in Cementitious Materials with GO Admixture

In coastal areas, the presence of concrete cracks provides pathways for hazardous ions to ingress from the exterior into the interior of concrete, while the migration of the ions further accelerates concrete deterioration and causes durability problems. The incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) into...

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Main Authors: Bing Liu, Weichen Kang, Weixing Lian, Feng Xing, Hongfang Sun, Hongyan Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Nanomaterials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/3/222
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author Bing Liu
Weichen Kang
Weixing Lian
Feng Xing
Hongfang Sun
Hongyan Ma
author_facet Bing Liu
Weichen Kang
Weixing Lian
Feng Xing
Hongfang Sun
Hongyan Ma
author_sort Bing Liu
collection DOAJ
description In coastal areas, the presence of concrete cracks provides pathways for hazardous ions to ingress from the exterior into the interior of concrete, while the migration of the ions further accelerates concrete deterioration and causes durability problems. The incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) into concrete can inhibit crack initiation and development starting at the nanoscale, improving the concrete microstructure, thereby affecting concrete’s resistance to hazardous ion transport and the resulting deterioration. In this study, a multi-scale transport model for cementitious materials with a GO admixture was established to predict the resistance to hazardous ions. Based on the determination of hydration types and hydration kinetics, microstructure modeling was conducted at three scales, the sub-microscale, microscale, and mesoscale, upon which transport property simulations were performed. At the microscale, the effects of both the cement paste matrix and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) were considered. Through the simulation, it was found that the addition of GO reduced the duration of the induction period and increased the rate of hydration development after the induction period. Moreover, the incorporation of GO could reduce the porosity of cementitious materials at all simulation scales at both early and later ages. At the microscale, it improved the pore structure of the cement matrix and ITZ by reducing large pores and increasing small pores. At all three simulation scales, GO could increase the diffusion tortuosity in hydration products, suppress ion transport, and improve the resistance to hazardous ions of cementitious materials.
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spelling doaj-art-1dce4094c6f2409e9b689701a8b3317f2025-08-20T02:12:29ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-01-0115322210.3390/nano15030222Multi-Scale Modeling of Transport Properties in Cementitious Materials with GO AdmixtureBing Liu0Weichen Kang1Weixing Lian2Feng Xing3Hongfang Sun4Hongyan Ma5School of Traffic and Environment, Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology, Shenzhen 518172, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Durability for Marine Civil Engineering, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Durability for Marine Civil Engineering, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Durability for Marine Civil Engineering, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Durability for Marine Civil Engineering, College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, ChinaDepartment of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409, USAIn coastal areas, the presence of concrete cracks provides pathways for hazardous ions to ingress from the exterior into the interior of concrete, while the migration of the ions further accelerates concrete deterioration and causes durability problems. The incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) into concrete can inhibit crack initiation and development starting at the nanoscale, improving the concrete microstructure, thereby affecting concrete’s resistance to hazardous ion transport and the resulting deterioration. In this study, a multi-scale transport model for cementitious materials with a GO admixture was established to predict the resistance to hazardous ions. Based on the determination of hydration types and hydration kinetics, microstructure modeling was conducted at three scales, the sub-microscale, microscale, and mesoscale, upon which transport property simulations were performed. At the microscale, the effects of both the cement paste matrix and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) were considered. Through the simulation, it was found that the addition of GO reduced the duration of the induction period and increased the rate of hydration development after the induction period. Moreover, the incorporation of GO could reduce the porosity of cementitious materials at all simulation scales at both early and later ages. At the microscale, it improved the pore structure of the cement matrix and ITZ by reducing large pores and increasing small pores. At all three simulation scales, GO could increase the diffusion tortuosity in hydration products, suppress ion transport, and improve the resistance to hazardous ions of cementitious materials.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/3/222GOmulti-scale modelingtransport propertymicrostructure modelITZ modeling
spellingShingle Bing Liu
Weichen Kang
Weixing Lian
Feng Xing
Hongfang Sun
Hongyan Ma
Multi-Scale Modeling of Transport Properties in Cementitious Materials with GO Admixture
Nanomaterials
GO
multi-scale modeling
transport property
microstructure model
ITZ modeling
title Multi-Scale Modeling of Transport Properties in Cementitious Materials with GO Admixture
title_full Multi-Scale Modeling of Transport Properties in Cementitious Materials with GO Admixture
title_fullStr Multi-Scale Modeling of Transport Properties in Cementitious Materials with GO Admixture
title_full_unstemmed Multi-Scale Modeling of Transport Properties in Cementitious Materials with GO Admixture
title_short Multi-Scale Modeling of Transport Properties in Cementitious Materials with GO Admixture
title_sort multi scale modeling of transport properties in cementitious materials with go admixture
topic GO
multi-scale modeling
transport property
microstructure model
ITZ modeling
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/3/222
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