Nano-level management of calcium silicate-hydrate nanoparticles structure formation during portland cement hydration process

Abstract

Cement-containing building materials durability depends both on the original clinker composition and on the structure of hydrated portland cement compositions on micro and nanoscales. To calculate structural parameters of silicate-hydrate calcium nanoparticles during portland cement hydration process, the researchers applied the method of small-angle neutron scattering which included distribution of nanoparticles in size, medium nanoparticles radius, fractal dimension. Modifying nanoparticles blending with portland cement composition affects structural parameters of silicate-hydrate calcium nanoparticles. The authors used complex modifying nanoparticles in this study. Nanoparticle composition included a component that served as a filler and a chemically active component that was used as a modifier. The first component was a mixture of alpha oxide aluminum, gamma oxide aluminum and carbonate sludge. The second component presented a mixture of alumoalkaline sludge with alumocalcite sludge. These sludges were of technogenic origin. The research showed that application of complex nanoagents made it possible to control process of silicate-hydrate calcium nanoparticles structure formation, and, as the result, to influence durability of cement stone.