NMR investigations on Cl− and Na+ ion binding during the early hydration process of C3S, C3A and cement paste: A combined modelling and experimental study
Yanliang Ji, Xiaoxiao Zhang, L. Pel, Zhenping Sun
Abstract
Using materials containing sodium chloride(e.g., seawater) to make concrete is sometimes unavoidable. However, the associated ion binding mechanisms and structural evolution during the early hydration process are not fully understood. This study investigated Cl − and Na + binding behaviour and microstructure of C 3 S, C 3 A and cement paste within the first 48h using a high-field NMR setup. Results show that during hydration, KOH can reduce Cl − binding but enhance Na + ion binding in C 3 S paste, while increasing gypsum dosage in C 3 A paste retards both Cl − and Na + binding. Retarders reduce Cl − and Na + binding, while accelerators slightly promote Cl − binding but reduce Na + binding in cement paste. It is also found that boundary nucleation and growth(BNG) modelling is the most suitable for fitting the ion binding. Finally, the microstructure assessed by the T 1 relaxation rate is related to ion binding in various ranges, indicating that hydrates during hydration have various binding efficiencies.