A solid-state NMR and X-ray powder diffraction investigation of the binding mechanism for self-healing cementitious materials design: The assessment of the reactivity of sodium silicate based systems

The identification of affordable healing agents for cement based materials, able to promote autonomous crack healing, is a challenge to improve the durability of building structures. In this study, a thorough investigation of the reactivity between a hydrated Portland cement and sodium silicate solutions, as healing agents, has been carried out.The goal is to quantitatively assess the chemical reactivity and actual binding capacity of sodium silicate. Mechanical recovery was evaluated by means of a healing agent strength test on hydrated cement treated with sodium silicate. XRPD and Solid-state NMR allowed the definition of reaction times, the involved species, and the nature and stability of the reaction products. Highlights show that sodium silicate reacts not only with Ca(OH)₂ (namely portlandite), but also with calcium aluminate phases (AFt, AFm, TAH) to extract calcium and/or aluminum ions, with the formation of crystalline/semi-crystalline C-S-H/C-A-S-H tobermorite phase.     

Influence of colloidal nanosilica on hydration kinetics and properties of CaO/CaSO4-activated slag binderOA

To solve the energy consumption and CO₂ emission during cement production, the new binders must be developed as an alternative to cement. CaO/CaSO₄-activated slag binder is an eco-friendly and safe cementitious material; however, its low strength during initial stages limits its applications. In this study,colloidal nanosilica(CNS) was employed as an additive to improve the strength of CaO/CaSO₄-activated slag binder, and the effects of CNS on the workability, hy...     

Alkali sorption by C-S-H and C-A-S-H gels: Part II. Role of alumina

In Part I, it was shown that alkali partition between C-S-H gel and an aqueous phase can be represented by a partition function, R_d, the numerical value of which, at constant temperature, is defined by the Ca/Si ratio. This R_d value is constant or nearly so over wide ranges of NaOH and KOH concentrations up to ∼0.3 M. In the present paper, Al has been introduced to form C-A-S-H gels, and the influence of Al on alkali sorption properties was determined: Approximately 6-7% replacement of Si by Al was used. Microprobe evidence is presented to show that the Al is actually in solid solution. Introduction of Al into C-S-H markedly increases R_d, indicating enhancement of alkali binding. The results underpin and quantify the beneficial effects of alkali binding arising from the introduction of aluminous supplementary cementing materials, such as fly ash, into cement pastes.     

Synthesis of nanoparticles from slag and their enhancement effect on hydration properties of CaO/CaSO4-activated slag binder

Developing a low-cost and eco-friendly alternative to cement is of great significance for reducing the CO₂ emissions. CaO/CaSO₄-activated slag binder may only be served as a promising cementitious material when the severe defect in the early strength is overcame. In this study, gel-like nanoparticles with an average size of ～ 328 nm were prepared from the slag through dissolution at room temperature and reprecipitation at 50 °C. Subsequently, synthetic nanoparticles (SNPs) were added as a supplementary additive to enhance the strength of CaO/CaSO₄-activated slag binder. The effects of SNPs on the strength development, hydration kinetics, hydration products, and microstructure of the slag binders were investigated. The results indicated that the addition of moderate SNPs shortened the duration of induction period and improved the reaction rate in the acceleration period of the slag binders. As a result, large amounts of calcium aluminosilicate hydrate (C-A-S-H) gel was generated at early hydration ages. Meanwhile, SNPs increased the polymerization degree of this gel through the nucleation effect. Gel products’ well-filled the pore spaces between slag particles and yielded a compact microstructure, consequently enhancing the binder strength. The sample with adding 1.5 wt% SNPs exhibited the optimum strengths of 7.78 and 39.86 MPa after 1 and 28 days.     

Reactive binder and aggregate interfacial zones in the mortar of Tomb of Caecilia Metella concrete, 1C BCE,Rome

Integrated spectroscopic analyses and synchrotron X-ray microdiffraction investigations provide insights into the long-term reactivity of volcanic aggregate components and calcium-aluminum-silicate-hydrate (C-A-S-H) binder in mortar samples from the robust concrete of the sepulchral corridor of the Tomb of Caecilia Metella, 1st C BCE, Rome. The results of innovative micrometer-scale analytical maps indicate that Pozzolane Rosse tephra components–scoria groundmass, clinopyroxene, and leucite crystals–contributed to pozzolanic production of C-A-S-H binder and then remained reactive long after hydrated lime (Ca(OH)₂) was fully consumed. The C-A-S-H binding phase is reorganized into wispy halos and tendril-like strands, some with nanocrystalline preferred orientation or, alternatively, split into elongate features with short silicate chain lengths. These microstructures apparently record chemical and structural destabilization of C-A-S-H during excessive incorporation of Al³⁺ and K⁺ released through leucite dissolution. Resistance to failure may result from the intermittent toughening of interfacial zones of scoriae and clinopyroxene crystals with post-pozzolanic strätlingite and Al-tobermorite mineral cements and from long-term remodeling of the pozzolanic C-A-S-H binding phase. Roman builders’ selection of a leucite-rich facies of Pozzolane Rosse tephra as aggregate and construction of the tomb in an environment with high surface and ground water exposure apparently increased beneficial hydrologic activity and reactivity in the concrete.     

碱胶凝材料水化产物C-A-S-H与N-A-S-H的研究进展

碱胶凝材料作为一种新型低碳建筑材料,以其优异的性能成为当前研究的热点领域之一.对近几年国内外对碱胶凝材料主要水化产物C-A-S-H与N-A-S-H结构组成特点及人工合成方法等方面的研究进展进行了综述,当前人工合成C-A-S-H与N-A-S-H的主要方法有溶胶-凝胶法、水热法和化学沉淀法等,合成所得的C-A-S-H与N-A-S-H体系产物也与合成方法密切相关.通过总结目前已有的合成方法,对比分析了各种合成方法的优缺点,并提出了当前研究中一些亟待解决的问题和未来研究发展方向.