Iron-Decorated Graphene Nanoplatelets Produced by Atmospheric-Pressure Ferrocene Pyrolysis as Nano-Additives for Cement Mortars

Authors

• Harutyun Gyulasaryan
• Manoj Chhetri, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Karen S. Martirosyan, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Nelli Muradyan
• Hovsep Hoveyan
• Manuk Barseghyan
• Aram Manukyan

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-25-2026

Abstract

This study examines iron-based graphene nanoplatelets (Fe-GNPs), synthesized through a modified ferrocene pyrolysis route, as hybrid nano-additives for cement mortars. The nanomaterial was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis, confirming a graphitic carbon network decorated with crystalline α-Fe nanoparticles. Mortars containing 0.001, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 wt.% Fe-GNPs, with and without surfactant-assisted ultrasonication, were tested in flexure and compression after 7 and 28 days of curing. The results showed a clear concentration-dependent response, with 0.01 wt.% yielding the highest strength gains. At 28 days, this dosage increased flexural strength by 14.5% without surfactant and by 21.2% with surfactant, while compressive strength rose by 17.8% and 22.5%, respectively, relative to the control mortar. Higher dosages reduced the reinforcing effect, mainly because agglomeration limited efficient stress transfer and matrix densification. The findings indicate that Fe-GNPs synthesized by a continuous atmospheric-pressure route are promising hybrid nano-additives for improving the mechanical performance of cement mortars, provided that dosage and dispersion are carefully controlled.

Comments

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Gyulasaryan, Harutyun, Manoj Chhetri, Karen Martirosyan, et al. “Iron-Decorated Graphene Nanoplatelets Produced by Atmospheric-Pressure Ferrocene Pyrolysis as Nano-Additives for Cement Mortars.” Journal of Architectural and Engineering Research 10 (July 2026): 38–52. https://doi.org/10.54338/27382656-2026.10-03.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Publication Title

Journal of Architectural and Engineering Research

DOI

10.54338/27382656-2026.10-03