Work

From lab-to-large scale: A real-world trial of pristine graphene nanoplatelet modified ready-mix concrete

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: To date, the use of graphene in the construction industry remains suspended between hype and widespread use. Earlier studies indicated that incorporating as little as 0.01–0.1% graphene by binder weight can significantly improve the mechanical, durability and electrical properties of concrete-like composites. This improvement also supports sustainability by enabling a potential reduction in cement usage, thereby lowering the carbon footprint in concrete production. Despite the well-established evidence of graphene’s beneficial effects on concrete under laboratory conditions, its adoption in the construction industry remains limited, largely due to cost and inconsistent performance. Furthermore, the inconsistent performance of graphene-integrated concrete due to factors such as fluctuating physical platelet features, dosage percentages, exfoliation durations and implementation methods still needs to be examined under real-world, large-scale conditions. Therefore, this two-part study, firstly, establishes an implementation approach on non-oxidised pristine graphene modified concrete-like composites commonly used under controlled laboratory conditions. Thereafter, the established implementation approach was investigated through a real-world large-scale ready-mix concrete (RMC) trial. The findings revealed that pristine graphene nanoplatelets (P-GNP) used in the trial did not enhance the mechanical properties but significantly influenced the durability properties of RMC. By identifying the challenges and limitations of up-scaling P-GNP implementation into the concrete industry, the trial illustrated that the implementation protocol used in laboratory-scale research studies is not fully compatible with large-scale scenarios. The information provided in this study illuminates the real-world challenges of implementing P-GNP into the RMC industry and also presents a strategy to potentially overcome and mitigate these transition challenges in future research.

Source: Next Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.nxmate.2026.103642

Authors: Abraham Erasmus van Wyk, Jyotirmoy Mishra, Adewumi John Babafemi, Riaan Combrinck

Institution: Stellenbosch University

Language: English

Topic: Concrete and Cement Materials Research

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,280