Graphene-Derived Reinforced Polymer Composites for Self-Healing and Durability Enhancement in Concrete Structures

Year : 2025 | Volume : 13 | Issue : 06 | Page : 77 91
    By

    V. Ravi Raj,

  • Neethi Madhavan C.S,

  • Bikash Chandra Saha,

  • Manu Vijay,

  • D. Sudha,

  • S. Sivakumar,

  • R. M. Karthikeyan,

  • Shailendra Kumar Bohidar,

  • Zakir Hussain,

  1. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Rajadhani Institute of Engineering and Technology, Kerala, India
  3. Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Cambridge Institute of Technology, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
  4. Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, ATME College of Engineering, Mysore, Karnataka, India
  5. Associate Professor, Department of Physics, R.M.K. Engineering College, Tamil Nadu, India
  6. Professor, Department of Chemistry, Varuvan Vadivelan Institute of Technology, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India
  7. Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, SNS College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
  8. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering & I.T, MATS University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
  9. Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Technology, Loyola Academy, Secunderabad, Telangana, India

Abstract

This study presents a matrix-centric polymer-composite repair binder: an epoxy–polyamide network reinforced with graphene derivatives (GO/rGO, 0.1–1.0 wt%). The polymer drives function via segmental mobility that closes microcracks, while 2D-filler topology densifies the interphase, improves load transfer, and enforces tortuous moisture pathways. Adhesion was high: pull-off (ASTM D4541) reached 13.5 MPa at 2.0 mm displacement; slant-shear (ASTM C882) reached 12.1 MPa at 2.8 mm, with greater deformation capacity (zero stress ~5.6 mm) and higher work-to-failure (~45.17 MPa·mm) than pull-off (~36.00 MPa·mm), evidencing polymer ductility and filler-mediated bridging under mixed-mode loading. Water permeability (EN 12390-8, 0.5 MPa, 72 h) plateaued at ~7.3 mm, with average ingress rates dropping from ~0.236 to ~0.053 to ~0.015 mm h⁻¹ across 0–24, 24–48, and 48–72 h, consistent with pore blocking and microcrack self-sealing within the composite interphase. Pre-cracked specimens (~0.2 ± 0.05 mm) recovered ~35% strength by day 1, ~78% by day 5, and ~92% by day 7 at 25 °C/60% RH, confirming polymer-enabled healing assisted by filler percolation across crack wakes. SEM revealed uniform filler dispersion, polymer fibrils bridging microcracks, and a dense, low-void interphase; EDS and mapping indicated O (~40 wt%), Si (~25 wt%), Ca (~15 wt%), and C (~20 wt%) with Si-rich streaks along crack corridors. Overall, this polymer-composite binder couples high adhesion, low permeability, and autonomous healing to extend durability under wet or cyclic service.

Keywords: Polymer-composite, graphene, adhesion, micro-cracks, self-healing.

[This article belongs to Journal of Polymer and Composites ]

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How to cite this article:
V. Ravi Raj, Neethi Madhavan C.S, Bikash Chandra Saha, Manu Vijay, D. Sudha, S. Sivakumar, R. M. Karthikeyan, Shailendra Kumar Bohidar, Zakir Hussain. Graphene-Derived Reinforced Polymer Composites for Self-Healing and Durability Enhancement in Concrete Structures. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(06):77-91.
How to cite this URL:
V. Ravi Raj, Neethi Madhavan C.S, Bikash Chandra Saha, Manu Vijay, D. Sudha, S. Sivakumar, R. M. Karthikeyan, Shailendra Kumar Bohidar, Zakir Hussain. Graphene-Derived Reinforced Polymer Composites for Self-Healing and Durability Enhancement in Concrete Structures. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(06):77-91. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=228997


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
Issue 06
Received 22/08/2025
Accepted 03/09/2025
Published 13/09/2025
Publication Time 22 Days
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