New insights into the interaction between sorbitol-based liquid-type temperature rise inhibitor and cement hydration: From experiments to molecular dynamic simulations

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2024-09, Vol.443, p.137790, Article 137790
• Main Authors: Yu, Yan, Yichuan, Zhou, Jiale, Huang, Rui, Wang, Guoqing, Geng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cement hydration; Chemical admixture; Conductivity; Simulation; Suspension
• ISSN: 0950-0618
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.137790

The use of temperature rise inhibitors (TRIs) holds significant promise in mitigating thermal cracking issues in modern concrete by controlling the precipitation of C-S-H gel, the main product of cement hydration. However, the complexity of their interaction with the non-classical nucleation process of C-S-H remains unclear. This study systematically investigated the influence of a sorbitol-based liquid-type temperature rise inhibitor (L-TRI) on the hydration kinetics of cement suspension using a combination of methods, including conductivity testing, pore solution analysis, and molecular dynamic simulations. It is revealed that the admixture-to-water ratio, rather than admixture-to-cement ratio, governs the effect of L-TRI on cement hydration. The disturbance of L-TRI molecules in the pore solution, mainly calcium complexation and water stabilization, plays a decisive role in inhibiting the secondary nucleation of C-S-H and decelerating the following growth. In contrast, L-TRI has a negligible influence on cement dissolution and the formation of C-S-H precursor. •Non-adsorbed L-TRI polymer impacts cement hydration through pore solution disturbance.•L-TRI barely affects cement dissolution and primary nucleation of C-S-H.•L-TRI inhibits the secondary nucleation of C-S-H by calcium complexation.•L-TRI decelerates the growth of C-S-H by calcium complexation and water stabilization.