Exploring the Potential of Nonclassical Crystallization Pathways to Advance Cementitious Materials

Understanding the crystallization of cement-binding phases, from basic units to macroscopic structures, can enhance cement performance, reduce clinker use, and lower CO2 emissions in the construction sector. This review examines the crystallization pathways of C–S–H (the main phase in PC cement) and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemical reviews 2024-06, Vol.124 (12), p.7538-7618
Main Authors: Ruiz-Agudo, Cristina, Cölfen, Helmut
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Binders
Binding
brittleness
carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide emissions
Cement
Clinker
Construction industry
Crystallization
Flexural strength
Ion association
Liquid phases
liquids
microstructure
modulus of rupture
nanoparticles
Self-assembly
solutes
Citations: Items that this one cites
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Summary:Understanding the crystallization of cement-binding phases, from basic units to macroscopic structures, can enhance cement performance, reduce clinker use, and lower CO2 emissions in the construction sector. This review examines the crystallization pathways of C–S–H (the main phase in PC cement) and other alternative binding phases, particularly as cement formulations evolve toward increasing SCMs and alternative binders as clinker replacements. We adopt a nonclassical crystallization perspective, which recognizes the existence of critical intermediate steps between ions in solution and the final crystalline phases, such as solute ion associates, dense liquid phases, amorphous intermediates, and nanoparticles. These multistep pathways uncover innovative strategies for controlling the crystallization of binding phases through additive use, potentially leading to highly optimized cement matrices. An outstanding example of additive-controlled crystallization in cementitious materials is the synthetically produced mesocrystalline C–S–H, renowned for its remarkable flexural strength. This highly ordered microstructure, which intercalates soft matter between inorganic and brittle C–S–H, was obtained by controlling the assembly of individual C–S–H subunits. While large-scale production of cementitious materials by a bottom-up self-assembly method is not yet feasible, the fundamental insights into the crystallization mechanism of cement binding phases presented here provide a foundation for developing advanced cement-based materials.
ISSN:0009-2665
1520-6890
1520-6890
DOI:10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00259