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Protein Engineering for Construction Material Performance: Effect of Protein Denaturation on Air-Entraining Function
Mohammad Sadegh Tale Masoule1, Joshua Prabahar1, Christopher Elliott Gottleib1
1Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|September 16, 2025
Summary
Denaturing agents like sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and lignin can modify protein structure, significantly enhancing air-entraining performance and freeze-thaw resistance in cement paste. Controlled protein unfolding is key to improving cement durability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Protein Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
Background:
- Proteins are used as air-entraining agents in cement paste.
- Denaturing agents can alter protein structure and properties.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for optimizing cement performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how denaturing agents (sodium dodecyl sulfate, urea, lignin) affect protein structure.
- To evaluate the impact of protein denaturation on air-entraining properties in cement paste.
- To assess the influence on cement paste microstructure and freeze-thaw durability.
Main Methods:
- Proteins and denaturants were combined in solution to form complexes.
- Surface activity, foaming, flowability, and setting times were measured.
- Microstructure was analyzed using X-ray microcomputed tomography (Micro-CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- Freeze-thaw resistance was evaluated through mass loss over 300 cycles.
Main Results:
- Certain protein-denaturant complexes showed significantly higher surface activity than individual components.
- Micro-CT revealed that specific complexes dramatically increased air-entrained porosity due to denaturation and synergistic effects.
- Proteins modified with lignin (Lig) and SDS, particularly Lys-Lig, Alb-Lig, Alb-SDS, and CP-Lig, showed the greatest improvements in air-entrained microstructure and freeze-thaw resistance.
- Some combinations were detrimental, reducing air-entrained porosity, indicating disruption of favorable protein conformations or interfacial incompatibility.
Conclusions:
- Controlled unfolding of proteins using denaturants can significantly enhance air-entraining performance and freeze-thaw durability of cement paste.
- The effectiveness of protein-denaturant complexes is highly specific to the protein and denaturant combination.
- Synergistic interactions at the bubble interface and protein conformational changes are critical factors influencing air void structure and cement durability.
Keywords:
air-entraining agentscement microstructurefreeze−thaw durabilityprotein denaturationsodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)More Related Videos
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