The beneficial effect of graphene oxide on the corrosion resistance of reinforced concrete

Abstract The effect of graphene oxide (GO) on the concrete quality and the corrosion resistance of carbon steel reinforcement was evaluated. The concrete mix was calculated at a ratio of 1: 1.86: 2.14: 0.46 (cement: sand: gravel: water); the dosages of GO were 0.03 wt.% and 0.05 wt.% and the superplasticizer (PC) concentration was 0.6 wt.% concerning the cement mass. Compressive strength tests (7, 28, and 91 days), water absorption tests, determination of voids index (WATIDVI), ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) testing, and optical microscopy analysis were carried out. All concrete samples showed excellent compactness and low porosity. Open circuit potential measurements and linear polarization resistance (LPR) were performed during 15 cycles of partial immersion and drying of concrete in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. A beneficial effect of 0.03 wt.% of GO addition on the corrosion resistance of the reinforced concrete was identified in the saline medium and the corrosion inhibition efficiency obtained was 79.3%.