Role of pH on the structure, composition and morphology of C-S-H–PCE nanocomposites and their effect on early strength development of Portland cement

Synthetic C-S-H–PCE nanocomposites are known to act as seeding material in Portland cement. Here, C-S-H–PCE was precipitated from Na2SiO3 and Ca(NO3)2 solutions in an isoprenolether (IPEG)-based PCE solution at pH values of 10.4, 11.7, 12.4 and 13.8. It was found that at pH = 10.4 the C-S-H–PCE precipitate is amorphous, possesses a disordered structure, consists of partially branched silicate chains and exhibits a globular morphology. At pH =...