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Published on: June 14, 2024
Characterization of methacrylated polysaccharides in combination with amine-based monomers for application in mortar
Arn Mignon1, Dries Devisscher2, Jolien Vermeulen3
1Magnel Laboratory for Concrete Research, Department of Structural Engineering, Ghent University, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 904, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Research Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, Building S4-bis, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Abstract:
Smart pH-responsive superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) could be useful for self-healing of cracks in mortar. They will swell minimally during the alkaline conditions of mixing, leading to only small macro-pores but will swell stronger with a lower pH when water enters the cracks. As such, polysaccharides (alginate, chitosan and agarose) were methacrylated and cross-linked with amine-based monomers (dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide) to induce a varying pH-sensitivity. These materials showed a strong cross-linking efficiency and induced moisture uptake capacities up to 122% at 95% relative humidity with a negligible hysteresis. Additionally, interesting pH-responsive swelling capacities were obtained, especially for SAPs based on chitosan and agarose with values up to 110gwater/gSAP. Most of these materials showed limited hydrolysis in cement filtrate solutions, making them very promising for use in mortar.
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