Plastic originated in 1860 with the development of celluloid, a material designed to replace ivory, marking the starting point for modern plastics. While plastics are indispensable in many industries, their uncontrolled use has caused an environmental crisis, prompting the need for circular economies and recycling. Not all plastics are recyclable, and recycled plastics often lose properties during processing. Nanotechnology, particularly the use of graphene, has enhanced the performance of both virgin and recycled plastics. Even in low concentrations, graphene significantly improves the strength and durability of polymers.

The cement industry, one of the primary sources of CO2 emissions, is adopting new technologies to reduce its environmental impact. Graphene, a nanomaterial with superior properties, has emerged as a promising solution, capable of reducing emissions by up to 30% in construction, while simultaneously enhancing concrete strength and lowering production and maintenance costs in the quest for a more sustainable future.

Graphene and its derivatives, such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), exhibit exceptional properties ideal for sensor applications, biocatalysis, and photocatalysis. Recent studies highlight their effectiveness in enhancing detection sensitivity, removing toxic gases, and decontaminating water.

Advancing Asphalt Durability: Harnessing Graphene's Potential for Sustainable Roads Most of the the world's road infrastructure is composed of pavement made from a complex system of asphalt, aggregates, and binders that interact at an interface to maintain its strength and structural stability. According to the Asphalt Institute, 87 million tons of asphalt are produced worldwide annually, with around 85% used in the paving industry, which, while offering great load capacity and durability, inevitably suffers damage from constant exposure to radiation, temperature, humidity, and traffic. The deterioration of asphalt not only impacts a basic transportation infrastructure crucial for socio-economic development but also involves environmental impacts in terms of resource depletion and high CO2 emissions caused by roadworks. These factors add to the reasons for the constant search for modification technologies that increase durability and improve mechanical properties of pavements using fibers, rubber; additives such as thermoplastic elastomers, plastic and synthetic resins, iron powder, hydrated lime, or glass waste. However, in some...

In the realm of coatings, graphene emerges as a promising additive, offering enhanced properties such as corrosion resistance, antimicrobial effects, and improved weather durability. This article explores the utilization of graphene oxide (GO) in polyurethane (PU) coatings to bolster their performance against environmental factors like UV radiation.

We will explore the impact of graphene oxide in the production of coatings with exceptional properties. From anti-corrosion barriers to fire resistance, graphene oxide redefines industrial protection.

The appearance of cracks is a common concern in concrete structures. To solve this problem, graphene oxide macrofibers are used as reinforcement, offering significant advantages over traditional polymeric fibers.

Corrosion affects various industries with million-dollar losses, discover how graphene oxide is making a difference by preventing this problem.