Nano-scale hydrogen-bond network improves the durability of greener cements

Author(s)

Jacobsen, Johan ^{[1, 2]} ; Rodrigues, Michelle Santos ^[3] ; Telling, Mark T. F. ^{[4, 5]} ; Beraldo, Antonio Ludovico ^[3] ; Santos, Sergio Francisco ^[6] ; Aldridge, Laurence P. ^[7] ; Bordallo, Heloisa N. ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Copenhagen, Niels Bohr Inst, DK-2100 Copenhagen - Denmark

^[2] European Spallat Source ESS AB, SE-22100 Lund - Sweden

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Sch Agr Engn, FEAGRI, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Oxford, Dept Mat, Oxford OX1 3PH - England

^[5] Rutherford Appleton Lab, ISIS Facil, Chilton OX11 0QX, Oxon - England

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Biosyst Engn, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[7] ANSTO, Inst Mat & Engn, Menai, NSW 2234 - Australia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 3, SEP 16 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 27

Abstract

More than ever before, the world's increasing need for new infrastructure demands the construction of efficient, sustainable and durable buildings, requiring minimal climate-changing gas-generation in their production. Maintenance-free ``greener{''} building materials made from blended cements have advantages over ordinary Portland cements, as they are cheaper, generate less carbon dioxide and are more durable. The key for the improved performance of blends (which substitute fine amorphous silicates for cement) is related to their resistance to water penetration. The mechanism of this water resistance is of great environmental and economical impact but is not yet understood due to the complexity of the cement's hydration reactions. Using neutron spectroscopy, we studied a blend where cement was replaced by ash from sugar cane residuals originating from agricultural waste. Our findings demonstrate that the development of a distinctive hydrogen bond network at the nano-scale is the key to the performance of these greener materials. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/17293-5 - Fracture mechanics applied to the development of non conventional extruded composites reinforced with cellulosic and synthetic fibers
• Grantee: Sérgio Francisco dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/16524-0 - Fracture mechanics applied to the development of non conventional extruded composites reinforced with cellulosic and syntetic fibers
• Grantee: Sérgio Francisco dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers