Electrically conductive cement mortar: Incorporating rice husk-derived high-surface-area graphene

This study examines the electrical properties of cement mortar using rice husk-derived graphenes (GRHs). It investigates enhanced types of graphene-like materials synthesized by extracting rice husk from agricultural waste. Control specimens in this study were chosen by scale and shape of their nano component to compare the performance of GRH inside cement mortar. This group encompassed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), MWCNTs decorated with COOH, carbon nanofibers with relatively higher aspect ratio because of their 1D structure. The other members of the comparison group were xGnP M15, xGnP C650, and GRH, all of which exhibited 2D planar or corrugated-planar structures. The electrical conductivity was proven to be better in 1D rather than in 2D structured inclusions. The electrical performance of the GRH composite, measured by change in volume resistivity vs. stress and strain, exhibited a moderate range similar to that of carbon fiber.