Modeling of aqueous species interaction energies prior to nucleation in cement-based gel systems

Kengran Yang, Claire E. White

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Arguably the most ubiquitous construction material in modern civilization, concrete is enabling the development of megacities around the globe together with increasing living standards in developing nations. However, the exact formation mechanisms of the strength-giving calcium-rich gels remain a topic of debate. Using density functional modeling, we simulate the fundamental solution-based building blocks of cement hydrates (calcium ions and silicate and aluminate monomers) and their propensity to form pair-wise complexes with bonding environments characteristic of those found in calcium-silicate-hydrate, calcium-alumino-silicate-hydrate and sodium-containing calcium-alumino-silicate-hydrate gels, as assessed from Gibbs free energies of chemical reactions. By accurately simulating the high pH pore solution chemistry in Portland cements and related systems, along with discrete solvation of the species, we hypothesize potential early age formation routes of the gels and discuss limitations and future work associated with this approach.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number106266
JournalCement and Concrete Research
Volume139
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Building and Construction
  • General Materials Science

Keywords

  • Calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H)
  • Density functional theory
  • Nucleation
  • Solution chemistry
  • Thermodynamics

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