Investigation of Radon Gas Emanation and Porosity Analysis of Organic and Carbon-Based Composite Brick

Abstract

The key components in the production of bricks are pebbles, water and sand that emitted radon gas from the process of decay chain in Uranium-238. Application of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and graphene oxide (GO) have been broadly used for reinforcement materials due to their excellent physical, chemical and mechanical properties. However, the exploration of CNF, GO and the combination of both elements in cementitious materials to reduce radon haven't compressively studied. Alkaline treatment was implemented on pineapple leaves and sugarcane bagasse prior bleaching and high frequency ultrasonication. Graphene oxide was produced using modified Hummer's method. CNF and GO were combined via centrifugation to generate CNF/GO. Using Malaysian Standard (MS 7.6:1972), one control brick and composite bricks were made with different ratio of CNF, GO, and CNF/GO. Radon reading was recorded for 3 consecutive days using QuartaRad Radex MR107+ Radon Monitor in the airtight Perspex room. CNF was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Surface porosity of the bricks was analyzed using Braunett-Emmet Teller (BET) analysis. Control brick has the highest radon value which is 67.1 Bq/m3 and the lowest radon concentration was recorded in GO composite brick 1 with reading of 31.2 Bq/m3.