Functional upcycling of nanomodified cementitious waste into recycled aggregate with multiscale reinforcement and environmental performance assessment.

Graphene oxide-modified recycled concrete particles enhance mechanical strength by over 27% and microstructural quality at 40% sand replacement in cementitious waste.

• Why it matters: Addressing the environmental impact of cement waste and natural sand extraction requires innovative recycling methods that maintain or improve material performance while reducing costs and emissions.
• What they did: Researchers produced GO-modified recycled concrete particles from crushed mortar, replacing up to 40% of natural sand, and assessed pore structure, strength, and environmental metrics through microstructural analysis, simulations, and cost evaluations.
• The result: The approach significantly improved strength, microstructure, and resource efficiency, reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions by over 20%, demonstrating a sustainable pathway for high-value cement waste recycling.