Influence of graphene nanoplatelets on the passivation and corrosion resistance of carbon steel bars in ordinary portland cement mortar

This study investigates the influence of adding graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) to mortar mixtures on the corrosion behavior of embedded carbon steel rebars. Mortar mixtures were prepared with a water-to-cement ratio of 0.42 and GNP replacement levels of 0, 0.05, and 1 percent by weight of cement. After 28 days of curing in an environmental chamber, the passivity and kinetics of chloride induced corrosion initiation for the rebars were studied using a suite of electrochemical tests. The results suggest that incorporating GNPs at low concentrations may enhance the passivity and resistance to chloride-induced corrosion of carbon steel rebars; however, due to the large variability in the data, the findings are inconclusive. Potentiodynamic measurements revealed that the estimated average polarization resistance of steel rebars in 0 G (no GNP), 0.05 G, and 1 G specimens in the passive state was on average −182.3, −276.5, and −304.2 kΩ, respectively. Upon exposure to chloride solution, 0 G specimens, with an average corrosion potential of −600 mV vs. SCE, exhibited the lowest resistance, whereas 0.05 G specimens, with an average of −491 mV vs. SCE, showed the highest corrosion resistance. Results from electrical impedance spectroscopy were consistent with the potentiodynamic findings. Surface characterization also revealed that the inclusion of GNPs does not alter the surface roughness of the interface between steel rebar and paste. However, the interface between rebar ribs and mortar paste had higher surface roughness and porosity in all specimens regardless of GNPs replacement level. Visual inspections confirmed that the area around the rebar ribs at the interface is more conducive to the formation of crevice and pitting corrosion.