Application of graphene-based materials in developing sustainable infrastructure: An overview

Graphene and graphene-based materials can play a major role in the building and construction industries with their excellent performance. Graphene and its derivatives, as a nano-additive, influence the composition and microstructure of building materials and enhance their physical and mechanical characteristics. The incorpo-ration of graphene-based materials in asphalt preparation has shown some fascinating results with excellent mechanical, thermal, and physical properties. Despite promising results of utilizing graphene-based materials in the construction industry, their research and application trends are unremarkable. In this regard, this review summarizes graphene-based materials in accordance with their applications as construction materials. The focus is on the performance improvement of graphene-based-modified building materials due to physical, chemical, and directional modification of graphene-based composites. The application of graphene-based materials in various construction materials, such as cement, anti-corrosion coatings, thermal and acoustic insulators, asphalt, and firefighting materials, are highlighted. Adding graphene to building materials improves durability, me-chanical strength, hardness, and flexibility. However, modification, stability, compatibility, and uniform dispersion are among the key merits of developing optimized construction materials for the specified application. These materials with exceptional properties open new opportunities to give a boost to construction and building technology in terms of environmental protection and energy consumption. This review points out the en-hancements that graphene may offer to the construction industry regarding main challenges in the future. Op-portunities and limitations could guide researchers in the field to solve challenges, provide directions for future studies, and optimize construction materials on the basis of their applications.