Abstract In the pursuit of intelligent and sustainable civil engineering materials, this study systematically investigates the tailoring of mechanical and electrical properties in alkali-activated materials (AAMs) by regulating calcium content and incorporating graphene (GP). The investigation reveals that calcium content dictates the fundamental gel type, which in turn governs how GP enhances performance. High-calcium systems (dominated by C-A-S-H gel) achieved superior compressive strength (65.75 MPa), whereas low-calcium systems (dominated by K-A-S-H gel) exhibited enhanced flexural strength (10.50 MPa) and outstanding electrical conductivity (115.33 Ω m). This performance divergence is attributed to a synergistic effect between the specific aluminosilicate gel network and the incorporated graphene. Crucially, the study elucidates the role of “microstructural evolution” – defined here as the matrix densification and pore structure refinement driven by GP’s nucleation and physical filling effects. In high-calcium matrices, GP acts as nucleation sites to accelerate gel formation and densify the microstructure, thereby maximizing compressive strength. Conversely, in low-calcium matrices, GP effectively bridges the geopolymer network and establishes continuous conductive pathways, significantly improving flexural toughness and electro-thermal performance. These findings provide a strategic framework for the smart design of multifunctional AAMs by exploiting the interplay between calcium-determined gel structures and nanomodification.
Chen et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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