ABSTRACT

The deformation and fracture resistance are the major concern for the long-term durability of asphalt pavement.  The excellent physical and thermomechanical properties of graphene make it a promising modifier for reinforcing the deformation and fracture resistance of asphalt.  The mechanical performance of functionalized graphene modified asphalt nanocomposite is significantly affected by the interfacial interactions between graphene and asphalt matrix, which can be enhanced through the appropriate functionalization of graphene.  In this work, the deformation and fracture resistance of asphalt nanocomposite systems reinforced by pristine and functionalized graphene is systematically investigated by molecular dynamics simulations.  The results show that functionalized graphene can significantly improve the deformation resistance and decrease the possibility of crack occurrence in the asphalt matrix.  The effective load-transferring capability of functionalized graphene can effectively inhibit the generation of nano-crack by the bridging effects, and the functional groups of graphene can provide stronger interfacial adhesion by the H-bond interactions with the polar components of asphalt.  The deformation resistance of asphalt nanocomposites can be improved through the mechanical interlocking between the asphalt and functional groups of functionalized graphene.  The in-depth understanding of   functionalized graphene modified asphalt will provide new insight into the material design of asphalt nanocomposites and the development of next-generation asphalt pavement.
 
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
NIE FENGHUA  is a PhD student of  City University of Hong Kong, his research interests mainly focus on using molecular dynamics simulations to study the thermomechanical properties of asphalt nanocomposites.