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Novel microcapsules for internal curing of high-performance cementitious system.
Xiaoyu Shang1, Baojian Zhan2, Jiangshan Li3
1School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin, 132012, PR China. shangxiaoyu@neepu.edu.cn.
Scientific Reports
|May 21, 2020
Summary
This study introduces novel microcapsules for controlled internal curing in cement-based materials. These microcapsules effectively release water, reducing shrinkage and boosting compressive strength in high-performance concrete.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Conventional internal curing agents for high-performance cementitious systems lack controlled water release.
- Difficulty in artificially modifying existing curing materials hinders process control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate novel microcapsules for controlled internal curing of cement-based materials.
- To investigate the water release mechanism and its impact on material properties.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized microcapsules using a double emulsion method, creating a polymer shell-water core structure.
- Controlled water release by leveraging the alkaline sensitivity of the polymer shell.
- Tailored shell thickness and microcapsule size by adjusting polymer dosage and stirring rate.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated effective water release from microcapsules for internal curing.
- Achieved significant reduction in autogenous shrinkage of the cementitious matrix.
- Observed an increase in the compressive strength of the concrete.
Conclusions:
- Novel microcapsules offer a controllable method for internal curing in cement-based materials.
- The developed microcapsules show potential as effective internal curing agents for high-performance concrete.
- Tailoring synthesis parameters allows for precise control over water release and curing efficiency.
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