Researchers from the University of Exeter have developed a new technique to incorporate graphene into concrete through nanoengineering technology.
The new composite materials is twice as strong and four times as resistant than existing concretes and can be used directly by the construction industry on building sites. 
It also significantly reduced the carbon footprint of conventional concrete products, making it more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Scientists believe the new technique could pave the way for other nanomaterials to be incorporated into concrete and modernise the construction industry worldwide.
Co-Author of the research Professor Monica Craciun said there is a growing pressure from global challenges on pollution, sustainable urbanisation and resilience to catastrophic natural disasters.
“This new composite material is an absolute game-changer in terms of reinforcing traditional concrete to meets these needs. Not only is it stronger and more durable, but it is also more resistant to water, making it uniquely suitable for construction in areas which require maintenance work and are difficult to be accessed,” Dr Craciun said.
“Yet perhaps more importantly, by including graphene we can reduce the amount of materials required to make concrete by around 50 per cent – leading to a significant reduction of 446kg/tonne of the carbon emissions.
“This unprecedented range of functionalities and properties uncovered are an important step in encouraging a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly construction industry worldwide.”
The research team has created a new technique that centres on suspending atomically thin graphene in water with high yield and no defects, low cost and compatible with modern, large scale manufacturing requirements.
Lead author of the report Dimitar Dimov said the construction industry has to be modernised by incorporating not only off-site manufacturing, but innovative new materials as well.
“This ground-breaking research is important as it can be applied to large-scale manufacturing and construction,” Dr Dimov said.
“Finding greener ways to build is a crucial step forward in reducing carbon emissions around the world and so help protect our environment as much as possible. It is the first step, but a crucial step in the right direction to make a more sustainable construction industry for the future.”
The paper, Ultrahigh Performance nanoengineered Graphene-Concrete Composites for Multifunctional Applications, is published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
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