Green synthesis of graphene oxide from invasive plant species (Nymphaeaceae) for enhancing cement paste microstructure and compressive strength

The proliferation of invasive species, particularly water lilies (Nymphaeaceae), in aquatic ecosystems, such as Dal Lake in Srinagar, J&K, India, has led to significant challenges for aquatic life. This research addresses this issue by harnessing the invasive water lily as a resource for an environmentally conscious approach to produce graphene oxide (GO) through thermal pyrolysis. The synthesized GO was incorporated into cement paste (CP) (ranging from 0 to 0.09 wt%) to explore its impact on workability, mechanical properties, and microstructure. Increasing GO concentrations led to decreased workability. However, GO positively influenced compressive strength, with optimal enhancements observed at 0.06 %, a maximum enhancement in compressive strength of 53.7 % and 35.4 % at 7 and 28 days when compared to the control CP. Microstructure analysis through FE-SEM revealed improved cement hydration, pore filling, and densified microstructure, supported by XRD and FT-IR findings. Specifically, GO at 0.06 % concentration showed notable improvements, indicating its crucial role in enhancing mechanical properties.