Towards novel building materials: High-strength nanocomposites based on graphene, graphite oxide and magnesium oxychloride

In this contribution, novel nanocomposites containing carbon-based nanomaterials and magnesium oxychlorides (MOC) were prepared and analyzed. The prepared materials containing graphene, graphite oxide, or a combination of both additives in the total amount of 0.5% by weight of binder material exhibited remarkably enhanced mechanical characteristics such as flexural and compressive strength. Detailed SEM analysis was used to explain such improvement of mechanical properties. MOC needles grew through the graphene or graphite oxide forming strong bridges between MOC matrix and nanoadditives. Poor water resistance is the major reason why magnesium oxychlorides are not widely used yet. It was shown that the addition of nanoadditives significantly improved water resistance, even in very low concentrations. Such materials can find applications in the building industry where they can be applied as an eco-efficient basis of facing panels, floors, fire protection boards, etc. Moreover, the MOC matrix improved with nanoadditives can be further used for the production of high-strength thermal insulation slabs as it enables the incorporation of a high volume of both inorganic and organic fillers and aggregates. The great mechanical resistance can also find use in repair works where the rapid precipitation of MOC phases is highly advantageous.