Granted Patent
B2
US 12,330,990 · App. 17/588,586 · Granted Jun 17, 2025
Cements reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets or helical carbon nanotubes
Assignee:
Northwestern University
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Abstract
Methods for the dispersion and synthesis of graphene nanoplatelet-cement composites and helical carbon nanotube composites with high concentrations of graphene nanoplatelets or helical carbon nanotubes that do not require chemical dispersion aids or dispersion-enhancing chemical surface functionalization are provided. Also provided are the reinforced cement composites made using the methods.
Claims (23)
1. A cement composite comprising:
Portland cement; and
graphene nanoplatelets or helical carbon nanotubes, wherein:
the cement composite is free of chemical dispersing aids;
the cement composite has a fracture toughness of at least 0.65 MPa√{square root over (m)};
the cement composite has a total porosity of no greater than 8.5%; and
the cement composite has a water absorption of no greater than 4.5%.
2. The cement composite of claim 1 , consisting of the Portland cement, the graphene nanoplatelets or the helical carbon nanotubes, and, optionally, adsorbed water.
3. The cement composite of claim 1 , wherein the graphene nanoplatelets or the helical carbon nanotubes are free of dispersion-enhancing chemical surface functionalization.
4. The cement composite of claim 1 , comprising the graphene nanoplatelets.
5. The cement composite of claim 4 , having a concentration of graphene nanoplatelets in the range from 0.1 wt % to 0.5 wt. %, based on the weight of the Portland cement.
6. The cement composite of claim 5 , having a fracture toughness in the range from 0.65 MPa√{square root over (m)} to 0.75 MPa√{square root over (m)}.
7. The cement composite of claim 6 , having a total porosity in the range from 4.5% to 7.5% and a water absorption in the range from 2.0% to 4.0%.
8. The cement composite of claim 7 , wherein the graphene nanoplatelets are free of dispersion-enhancing chemical surface functionalization.
9. The cement composite of claim 4 , having a total porosity in the range from 4.5% to 7.5%.
10. The cement composite of claim 4 , having a water absorption in the range from 2.0% to 4.0%.
11. The cement composite of claim 1 , comprising the helical carbon nanotubes.
12. The cement composite of claim 11 , having a concentration of helical carbon nanotubes in the range from 0.1 wt % to 0.5 wt. %, based on the weight of the Portland cement.
13. The cement composite of claim 12 , having a fracture toughness in the range from 0.65 MPa√{square root over (m)} to 0.75 Mpa√{square root over (m)}.
14. The cement composite of claim 11 , having a total porosity in the range from 6.8% to 8.5%.
15. The cement composite of claim 11 , having a water absorption in the range from 3.5% to 4.5%.
16. The cement composite of claim 11 , having a total porosity in the range from 6.8% to 8.5% and a water absorption in the range from 3.5% to 4.5%.
17. The cement composite of claim 16 , wherein the helical carbon nanotubes are free of dispersion-enhancing chemical surface functionalization.
Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE
Recorded Feb 13, 2025
From: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
To: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 070206/0008 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
Recorded Aug 2, 2022
From: AKONO, ANGE-THERESE
To: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 060698/0329 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application
63144347
· Feb 1, 2021
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