Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposite films were prepared by extrusion to evaluate their potential as films for food packaging. The films were prepared with contents of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.25% in mass of GO by solid-solid deposition methodology. It was verified that GO did not modify the hydrophobicity and crystallinity degree of PBAT. The reduction of molecular weight due to GO incorporation was verified, and it could be the main reason for the observed decrease in tensile strength and increase in elongation. The nanofiller permitted ultraviolet blocking, thermal stability, and oxygen barrier improvements without compromising film visibility. Compared to the neat PBAT film, the oxygen permeability coefficient was reduced by 13.6% for PBAT/GO0.25. The elongation and tenacity were also improved by 90% and 33%, respectively, for the highest concentration of GO (0.25%). Besides, GO at 0.25% accelerated the mineralization rate of PBAT in soil, probably due to the lower molecular weight of nanocomposites in relation to the neat polymer. The preliminary information obtained in this work indicates that the level of PBAT hydrolytic degradation during the extrusion process was not high enough to avoid its application in food packaging because the obtained thermal, mechanical, and ultraviolet (UV) barriers still indicate an exciting balance of properties for this purpose, which can even be improved with future research.

Edge-oxidized graphene oxide (EOGO) is a nano-sized material that is chemically stable and easily mixed with water due to its hydrophilic properties; thus, it has been used in various engineering fields, particularly for the reinforcement of building and construction materials. In this study, the effect of EOGO in soil reinforcement was investigated. When mixed with soil, it affects the mechanical properties of the soil-GO mixture. Various amounts of the GO (0%, 0.02%, 0.06%, 0.1%) were added into the sand-clay mixture, and their geotechnical properties were evaluated via multiple laboratories testing methods, including a standard Proctor test, direct shear test, compressibility test, and contact angle measurement. The experimental results show that with the addition of EOGO in soil of up to 0.06% EOGO, the compressibility decreases, the shear strength increases, and the maximum dry density (after compaction) increases.

Adding graphene microflakes with excellent mechanical properties to asphalt materials can promote the development of sustainable transportation infrastructure. Recently, graphene oxide-modified asphalt has gained popularity due to its enhanced storage stability, ease of construction, and high-temperature stability. However, the modification mechanism of graphene oxide and polymer modifiers within asphalt remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of action of aminated graphene oxide and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) within asphalt and elucidate their influence on the properties of composite-modified asphalt. This research utilized X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR), bending beam rheometer (BBR), and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) to explore the performance of composite-modified asphalt and the modification mechanism of modifiers. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the modification effect was better, the surface wrinkles of modified graphene oxide increased, and the interlayer spacing expanded, which was favorable to its compatibility with asphalt. Conventional test and Brookfield viscosity revealed that composite-modified asphalt possessed favorable high-temperature resistance and plasticity compared to the original asphalt. Additionally, dynamic shear rheological and storage stability tests indicated that the addition of aminated graphene oxide not only improved the viscoelastic properties of asphalt but also enhanced the compatibility between various substances. Multiple stress creep recovery and bending beam rheometer tests measurements confirm that the composite-modified asphalt exhibits superior high-temperature rutting resistance and low-temperature crack resistance. Fluorescence microscopy analysis demonstrated the uniform distribution of the modifier and SBS within the asphalt, while thermogravimetry analysis revealed that composite-modified asphalt exhibited higher thermal stability compared to SBS-modified asphalt. This study holds significant importance in advancing the development and practical application of road modification materials.

Graphene Oxide (GO) is widely used, but its hydrophilic properties make it difficult to remove once it enters water and soil environments. In this paper, the adsorption effect of calcium carbide residue (CCR) as adsorbent on GO was investigated through a series of adsorption tests. Adsorption thermodynamics, kinetics, isotherm models, and various characterization techniques were employed to explore the adsorption mechanism. Additionally, the study assessed CCR's ability to stabilize GO-contaminated soils through unconfined compressive strength tests. The results showed that (1) at T = 303 K, with a pH of 11 and an initial GO concentration of 80 mg/L, CCR demonstrated excellent adsorption performance. (2) The adsorption process followed the Langmuir isotherm and a quasi-second-order kinetic model, indicating chemical adsorption with spontaneous heat adsorption. (3) CCR not only acts as an effective adsorbent for removing GO from wastewater but also has the potential to strengthen GO-contaminated soils. In addition, due to its favorable environmental benefits, this study has a wide range of potential applications in industrial fields such as wastewater treatment, air purification, and energy storage and conversion. This study not only proposes an effective method for removing graphene oxide from aqueous environments, but also provides a new idea for waste resource utilization, which helps to achieve the dual goals of environmental protection and resource reuse.

In recent years, graphene oxide (GO) has been widely used in various fields owing to its high specific surface area and rich oxygen-containing functional groups. Adding an appropriate amount of GO (about 0.01-0.1 wt%) is beneficial to strengthen the soft soil foundation, which can improve the mechanical properties of the geopolymers, promote the hydration reaction, and improve the pore structure. The main mechanisms include the distortion effect, intercalation effect, template effect, bridge effect, active catalytic effect, adsorption cementation effect, and nucleation effect. Currently, GO research on cement materials mainly focuses on mortar and concrete and pays less attention to geotechnical engineering fields, such as cement soil. Therefore, to fully understand the unique advantages of GO, to clarify the method and mechanism of GO strengthening soft soil foundations, and to expand its application in geotechnical engineering, we briefly summarise the characterisation methods, dispersion of GO, analyse the influence of the single incorporation of GO on the mechanical properties of geopolymers, and discuss its microscopic mechanism. The environmental and safety effects are also discussed. Finally, the problems existing in the current research are analysed and future research directions are discussed.

Graphene oxide (GO) has been shown to improve the static mechanical properties of cement soils. However, the dynamic mechanical properties of GO-modified cement soils are rarely investigated. Therefore, in this study, the effects of different confining pressures, GO contents, and curing ages on the small-strain dynamic shear modulus (G) and damping ratio (D) of GO-modified coastal cement soil (GOCS) are investigated via resonant column tests. The results show that the G of GOCS increases with the confining pressure, GO content, and curing age, whereas D decreases. Moreover, the GOCS indicate the highest stiffness improvement when 0.05 % GO is used as a modifier. The variation patterns of the maximum dynamic shear modulus and maximum damping ratio with the increase in the confining pressure, GO content, and curing age of the GOCS are consistent with the measured results. Microstructural analysis shows that the incorporation of GO can promote the early cement hydration of GOCS and increase its internal calcium-silicate-hydrate gel as well as its crystal types and numbers. The filling and bridging effects of GO not only enhance the stiffness of GOCS, thus increasing its G value, but also effectively reduce the energy consumption of the vibration wave in the sample, thus reducing its D value. The results of this study can provide important references and guidance for the design and construction of coastal soft-soil roadbed projects.

Although cemented soil as a subgrade fill material can meet certain performance requirements, it is susceptible to capillary erosion caused by groundwater. In order to eliminate the hazards caused by capillary water rise and to summarize the relevant laws of water transport properties, graphene oxide (GO) was used to improve cemented soil. This paper conducted capillary water absorption tests, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests, softening coefficient tests, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests on cemented soil using various contents of GO. The results showed that the capillary water absorption capacity and capillary water absorption rate exhibited a decreasing and then increasing trend with increasing GO content, while the UCS demonstrated an increasing and then decreasing trend. The improvement effect is most obvious when the content is 0.09%. At this content, the capillary absorption and capillary water absorption rate were reduced by 25.8% and 33.9%, respectively, and the UCS at 7d, 14d, and 28d was increased by 70.32%, 57.94%, and 61.97%, respectively. SEM testing results demonstrated that GO reduces the apparent void ratio of cemented soil by stimulating cement hydration and promoting ion exchange, thereby optimizing the microstructure and improving water resistance and mechanical properties. This research serves as a foundation for further investigating water migration and the appropriate treatment of GO-modified cemented soil subgrade.

In the context of rapid urbanization and industrialization, subterranean engineering frequently encounters geotechnical challenges, particularly when dealing with weak soil layers, such as loose silty sand. These layers are problematic due to their poor permeability and low mechanical strength. Although cement-based solidification methods are prevalent for improving soil properties, they may prove inadequate under certain extreme conditions. This study explores the solidification efficacy of graphene oxide (GO) alone, and in conjunction with silica fume (SF), on silty sand by integrating varying proportions of GO and SF into cement-based composite materials, with a focus on assessing their influence on the impermeability and mechanical properties of the solidified soil. The findings revealed that the incorporation of GO alone markedly decreased the permeability coefficient and enhanced the early bending and compressive strength of the solidified soil. Optimal impermeability and mechanical performance were attained at a GO concentration of 0.06%, attributed to GO's high specific surface area and superior adsorption capacity, which effectively filled internal soil voids and ameliorated the microstructure. When GO and SF were added together, the solidified soil's performance improved, especially at an SF content of 10%. Notably, even with reduced GO content, a significant decrease in permeability coefficient was observed, indicating a synergistic effect between the materials. The concurrent addition of GO and SF also had a positive impact on bending and compressive strength, notably enhancing the early and intermediate mechanical performance of the solidified matrix. After a curing period of 28 days, the growth trends of bending and compressive strength decelerated. Microscopic examination indicated that GO and SF addition optimized the pore structure of the solidified soil, diminishing macropores and augmenting micropores, thereby reducing the permeability coefficient and bolstering impermeability. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that although the addition of GO and SF did not alter the primary hydration products in the solidified soil, it facilitated the cement hydration reaction, leading to increased formation of hydrated calcium silicate gels and other hydration products, thereby enhancing the compactness and mechanical strength of the solid matrix.