Basics of analytical methods used for the investigation of interaction mechanism between cements and superplasticizers

In order to better understand the interactions between cements and superplasticizers (high-range water reducers), various analytical methods have traditionally been applied, but some of these methods can introduce significant errors. In this paper the fundamental interaction mechanisms are reviewed and appropriate methods and sample preparation conditions are explained in detail. For superplasticizer adsorption measurements, analysis by size exclusion chromatography is useful in order to avoid the effect of other organic compounds released from cement by the action of the superplasticizer. For BET specific surface area measurements it is important to avoid pre-drying at over 60 °C, as otherwise ettringite can decompose and strongly increase the surface area. In order to evaluate pore solution chemistry correctly the aqueous phase must be extracted without dilution. In addition, the fluidity performance of many cements in superplasticized concretes can be changed simply by passage through a storage silo, for reasons which are not yet understood.     

Preparation and characterization of novel nanometer-scale platinum electrodes

Observation of the oxidation–reduction processes occurring at the nanoelectrode–solution interface demonstrates how electrochemical behavior depends upon nanoelectrode size. The use of a modified form of pulsed laser ablation as an improved method to synthesize nanometer-scaled electrode materials easily and consistently is reported. This method of fabrication enables platinum metal nanoparticles averaging 3 nm in diameter and approximately 5.0 × 10¹¹ particles/cm² to be deposited onto silicon substrates using optimum ablation parameters. A platinum silicide phase exists at the interface of the platinum and silicon as a result of the ablation process. Electrochemical results demonstrate the presence of a large number of isolated platinum particles (1.1 × 10⁷ particles/cm²), separated by an average edge to edge distance of 14 nm, which are electrochemically active nanoelectrodes.     

A study on properties of yttrium-stabilized zirconia thin films fabricated by different deposition techniques

This paper investigates the micro-structural, chemical and crystalline properties of yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin films by using pulsed laser deposition (PLD), atomic layer deposition (ALD) and sputter. Atomic ratio of Y:Zr of YSZ thin films fabricated by three different deposition methods was adjustable. ALD YSZ with smaller grains has high density compared to PLD YSZ and sputter YSZ. On the other hand, the low crystallinity of ALD YSZ can be supplemented by annealing process. From these experimental results, ALD YSZ thin film has the characteristics that satisfy requirements for using an electrolyte of thin film solid oxide fuel cells.     

Influence of chemical and physical characteristics of cement kiln dusts (CKDs) on their hydration behavior and potential suitability for soil stabilization

The interaction of CKDs with a given soil depends on the chemical and physical characteristics of the CKDs. Hence, the characterization of CKDs and their hydration products may lead to better understanding of their suitability as soil stabilizers. In the present article, four different CKD powders are characterized and their hydration products are evaluated. A detailed chemical (X-ray diffraction), thermogravimetric and morphological (scanning electron microscope) analyses of both the CKD powders and the hydrated CKD pastes are presented. In general, high free-lime content (~ 14–29%) CKDs, when reacted with water produced significant amounts of calcium hydroxide, ettringite and syngenite. These CKDs also developed higher unconfined compressive strength and higher temperature of hydration compared to CKDs with lower amounts of free-lime. An attempt was made to qualitatively correlate the performance of CKD pastes with the chemical and physical characteristics of the original CKD powders and to determine their potential suitability as soil stabilizers. To that effect a limited unconfined compressive strength testing of CKD-treated kaolinite clays was performed. The results of this study suggest that both the compressive strength and the temperature of hydration of the CKD paste can give early indications of the suitability of particular CKD for soil stabilization.     

Isolation, solubility and in vitro hydrolysis of chickpea vicilin-like protein

The chickpea vicilin-like globulin was isolated and chromatographed on Sepharose CL-6B and Sephacryl S-300. The native globulin with a molecular weight of 140 kDa was resolved in Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in seven polypeptide bands in the range of 12.4-67 kDa. The solubility profile of the protein in water and NaCl solutions was typical of a legume globulin. The purified vicilin-like globulin, native and heated, was hydrolyzed by pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin. The hydrolysis patterns indicated that the native vicilin-like protein was only partially degraded by the enzymes in comparison with casein. Heating increased its susceptibility to hydrolysis relative to the native form, for all the enzymes. However, the results obtained by the pH-drop method revealed that the in vitro digestibility of the vicilin-like protein was not altered by heating, while 11S-like and total globulins suffered a small increase, indicating that the structural characteristics of storage globulins may be important factors limiting the protein digestion.     

Characterization of petroporphyrins in Gudao residue by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry

A porphyrin-containing fraction isolated from the >500 °C residue of Chinese Gudao heavy oil was analyzed using laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (LDI-TOF-MS) for the first time. LDI-TOF-MS was revealed to be suitable for the characterization of petroporphyrins mixture. LDI-TOF mass analysis, combined with UV-vis measurement, indicated that the nickel porphyrins in Gudao residue are a mixture of ETIO homologues (C₂₅-C₃₄) maximizing at C₃₀ and DPEP homologues (C₂₈-C₃₇) maximizing at C₃₁. The ΣDPEP/ΣETIO ratio is about 1.04, suggesting Gudao oil is in the stage of becoming mature.     

Influence of the kneading water content in the behaviour of single-coat mortars

The effect of water content in the kneading process of mortars for application as single-coat renders was evaluated in terms of several properties. These properties refer to the mortar product in the fresh and hardened state. Characteristics under evaluation in function of kneading water are, for fresh mortar, the apparent density and entrained air while, for hardened products, apparent density, shrinkage, mechanical properties, abrasion wear and permeability amongst others. If some of these characteristics are obtained by standard tests, others, like abrasion wear, had to be adapted and are described here.Both for fresh and hardened products characteristics, kneading water amount significantly changes them and it was possible to establish the proper content of water to be used in order to get a well-behaved single-coat mortar.     

Evidence of anomalous thermal expansion of water in cement paste

A comparative study of permeability measurement by thermopermeametry (TPA) and beam bending was performed on cement paste. To bring the two measurements into agreement, it is necessary to recognize that the pore solution has a thermal expansion coefficient about one and a half times that of bulk liquid and to account for viscoelastic stress relaxation during TPA experiments. The anomalous thermal expansion is not accounted for by the presence of ions in the cement paste pore solution.     

Evaluation of mixing and application process parameters of single-coat mortars

The effects of different preparation and application conditions of single-coat mortars in their characteristics as fresh and hardened products are described in this work. The parameters under consideration were mixing water, mixing and resting time of the fresh mortar. Tests were made in the fresh mortar like apparent density, amount of entrained air and water retention. Tests with the hardened mortar also included mechanical strength and capillarity evaluations. Finally, practical cases were considered and here some application parameters were studied. It was possible to conclude on some important parameters affecting both the processing and application of single-coat mortars.