MOC-Graphene composite with martian soil simulant filler for construction use.

In this paper, a new construction material for extraterrestrial use is presented. As a base material for this novel composite, magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC), as a new eco-friendly alternative to Portland cement (PC) was used. To improve the mechanical properties of the composite, graphene nanoplatelets were used in a small amount. To make the composite as environmentally sustainable as possible a filler, simulant of the Martian soil, was used. This material had to be analyzed in order to determine its basic properties, such as chemical and phase composition, surface area particle size, and morphology. The designed composite was characterized using various methods to determine its chemical and mechanical properties. Also, a sample, which did not contain the Martian soil simulant was prepared in order to have a reference, to which the MOC-Martian soil simulant composite was compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]