Incorporating nanotechnology into cement composites significantly improves mechanical properties such as strength, toughness, and durability. Graphene, with high tensile strength and large surface area, shows great promise as a nanofiller, but its hydrophobicity complicates its dispersion in cement matrices. This study used a graphene-cellulose nanofiber (G@ CNF) hybrid filler to ensure a highly uniform dispersion within the cement microstructure. The hybrid filler acts as a bridge and efficiently fills voids within the matrix. The planar structure of graphene also provides nucleation sites for hydrated products, leading to a denser microstructure. The cement composite containing 0.01 wt.% graphene exhibited a compressive strength of 72.7 MPa, representing a 47.5% improvement over the plain cement. Furthermore, the resulting cement demonstrated enhanced water resistance compared to graphene oxide-reinforced-cement. This approach offers a cost-effective and sustainable way of producing high-strength, durable cement composite.

High-performance cement with minimal graphene content enabled by improved dispersion through cellulose nanofibers
    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Materials and methods
        2.1 Materials
        2.2 Preparation of G@CNF hybrid
        2.3 Preparation of cement
        2.4 Test method
            2.4.1 Characterization of G@CNF hybrid
            2.4.2 Workability
            2.4.3 Microstructural analysis of cement
            2.4.4 Compressive strength test and water sorptivity test
    3 Results and discussions
    4 Conclusions
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Jae Seo Park(Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Education and Research Center for Smart Energy and Materials, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea)
• Line Kim(Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Education and Research Center for Smart Energy and Materials, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea)
• Ji Yun Kim(Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Education and Research Center for Smart Energy and Materials, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea)
• Seung Jae Yang(Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Education and Research Center for Smart Energy and Materials, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author
• Ki Yun Kim(Department of Materials Science Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea)
• Gayoung Jung(Department of Materials Science Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea)
• Won Hwa Lee(Department of Materials Science Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea)
• Jea Uk Lee(Department of Materials Science Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea)