Graphene Enhanced Concrete and Predicting Quality Assurance Strategies for the Efficient Commercialization of Graphene Production

New nano-reinforced cementitious composites are necessary to address sustainability and durability concerns in structural and infrastructure applications. The incorporation of graphene into cementitious composites was explored with the goal of improving mechanical properties such as compressive strength and impermeability. Optical microscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy were used to characterize graphene dispersion and particle size, which were linked with changes in mechanical properties. One graphene type, C-300, showed potential for significant improvements in impermeability of the mortar samples, while the other, M25, showed potential for significant improvements in compressive strength. A sociotechnical study into the supply chain of graphene was endeavored to complement the technical study with the goal of identifying a method for standardizing graphene quality regulations. Relationships between the main social groups involved in the production of graphene were analyzed, and based on these relationships, a framework for providing effective and accessible graphene quality assurance standards was provided.