Study of temperature and moisture effects on piezoresistive behavior of graphene oxide-reinforced cementitious composites

Abstract

Cement-based sensors offer promising advantages in structural health monitoring due to their cost-effectiveness and high sensitivity. However, their practical applications are constrained by the susceptibility of their piezoresistive properties to environmental factors, particularly temperature and moisture variations. This study investigates the piezoresistive properties of graphene oxide-reinforced cement-based composites (GO/CCs) under different temperatures and moisture contents. The specimen filled with 0.03 wt% GO showed better conductivity and sensitivity coefficient varying environmental conditions. Under uniaxial compression, sensitivity peaks at temperatures of −40°C and −20°C with moisture contents between 0.80% and 1.50%. In deflection self-sensing tests, resistance change rates increase with deflection at temperatures below 0°C but decrease above 0°C, with the most significant changes observed at moisture contents of 1.00%–1.50%. While cyclic loading tests the piezoresistive curves demonstrate good repeatability across various temperature and moisture conditions, specimens exhibit increasing resistance change rates at sub-zero temperatures. These findings provide valuable insights for the implementation of GO/CCs sensors in complex environmental conditions.