Influences of C-S-H/PCE Seed Crystals on Microstructure of Early Hydration Products of C3S under Different Curing Conditions

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2025.0465

Abstract

Abstract: Tricalcium silicate (C₃S) is the main mineral phase of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), and its hydration products determine the properties of OPC-based materials. The addition of hydrated calcium silicate (C-S-H) seed crystals can regulate the microstructure of hydration products of C₃S. In this paper, polycarboxylate acid (PCE) was used as the dispersant, and the hydrated calcium silicate/PCE (C-S-H/PCE) seed crystals with different Ca/Si molar ratios were synthesized by co-precipitation method. The influence mechanism of C-S-H/PCE seed crystals on the microstructure of the early hydration products of C₃S single minerals was investigated by using XRD, thermogravimetric analysis and SEM characterization. The results show that when standard cured at 20 ℃ for 24 h, the incorporation of C-S-H/PCE seed crystals can promote the hydration of C₃S and more calcium hydroxide (CH) is formed. When the Ca/Si molar ratio of seed crystals is 1.2, the highest amount of C-S-H gel is induced and the structure is the most compact. When steam cured at 70 ℃ for 24 h, the addition of C-S-H/PCE seed crystals might further increase the quantity of C₃S hydration products and enhance the microstructure density. The study reveals the regulation mechanism of Ca/Si molar ratio and temperature synergistic effect on the quantity and morphology of C₃S hydration products, providing a reference for the rational application of C-S-H/PCE seed crystals.

Key words: C₃S, C-S-H/PCE seed crystal, calcium-silicon ratio, curing condition, hydration product, microstructure

CLC Number:

TQ172

WANG Yanrong, WU Yonghua, YI Ang, WANG Xin, CHEN Shuwen. Influences of C-S-H/PCE Seed Crystals on Microstructure of Early Hydration Products of C₃S under Different Curing Conditions[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2025, 44(10): 3517-3524.

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Influences of C-S-H/PCE Seed Crystals on Microstructure of Early Hydration Products of C₃S under Different Curing Conditions

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