Use of Graphene Oxide as a Bitumen Modifier: An Innovative Process Optimization Study

Abstract

Graphene because of its higher surface area, strength, thinness and high electric conductivity has diversified uses from mechanical, electrical to bio medical engineering. This paper presents an initial study on modifying 80/100 penetration grade bitumen with Graphite oxide (GO) prepared by using Simplified Room Temperature Hummer’s process. The concept of utilizing GO for modification is adopted in order to improve the stiffness of the binder which can be helpful in reducing rutting potential of the pavement and to have electro thermal conductivity in modified binder, thus can be used during pavement remediation work. The limited trial rheological results obtained for 0.1125 wt. % GO modified bitumen and 0.225 wt. % GO modified bitumen showed that modification of bitumen with GO has improved its elastic capacity at higher temperature and lower frequency regime thus successfully can be used as bitumen modifier in future.