Scholarly record

EFFECT OF CARBONATION AND HIGH HUMIDITY ON MAGNESIUM OXYCHLORIDE CEMENT COMPOSITES MODIFIED WITH GRAPHENE

Martina Zaleska, Milena Pavlikova, Adam Pivak, Zbysek Pavlik, Ondrej Jankovsky

Abstract

Portland cement–based materials represent the most widely used construction materials worldwide. However, their production and application are associated with significant environmental burdens, including high CO2 emissions and the depletion of natural aggregate resources. In response to the growing demand for environmentally responsible construction solutions, this study focuses on the development of building materials based on an alternative binder. Magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) is considered a more sustainable alternative to Portland cement, distinguished by superior mechanical, physical, and chemical properties, including a high capacity to incorporate substantial amounts of various aggregates. Moreover, MOC can also function as a carbonatable binder, as it has the ability to capture and chemically bind CO2 through carbonation reactions, resulting in the formation of stable magnesium carbonate phases and thereby contributing to a reduction in overall emissions throughout its service life. Despite these advantages, the broader application of MOC remains constrained by its inherently low water resistance, which constitutes the primary limitation to its practical use in construction. Therefore, various modification strategies have been investigated, including the incorporation of carbon-based nanomaterials. The present study evaluates the effect of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), incorporated at dosages of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 wt.% relative to the mass of the MOC binder, on the structural and mechanical performance of MOC-based composites. The basic structural characteristics and mechanical properties of samples cured for 28 days under laboratory air conditions were compared with those of samples subjected to long-term natural carbonation for a period of three years, followed by exposure to a high-humidity environment (90% RH). This experimental design enables an assessment of both the short-term performance and the long-term durability of GNP-modified MOC composites under conditions simulating extended service life and subsequent moisture loading. The results demonstrated an overall improvement in mechanical performance, particularly in compressive strength, while maintaining stable structural parameters even after long-term carbonation and exposure to high humidity. Overall, the GNP-modified MOC composites exhibited enhanced performance and durability, confirming the material as a highly promising and advanced cementitious system.

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