Advanced Nanoscale Characterization of Cement Based Materials Using X-Ray Synchrotron Radiation: A Review

Abstract

We report various synchrotron radiation laboratory based techniques used to characterize cement based materials in nanometer scale. High resolution X-ray transmission imaging combined with a rotational axis allows for rendering of samples in three dimensions revealing volumetric details. Scanning transmission X-ray microscope combines high spatial resolution imaging with high spectral resolution of the incident beam to reveal X-ray absorption near edge structure variations in the material nanostructure. Microdiffraction scans the surface of a sample to map its high order reflection or crystallographic variations with a micron-sized incident beam. High pressure X-ray diffraction measures compressibility of pure phase materials. Unique results of studies using the above tools are discussed-a study of pores, connectivity, and morphology of a 2,000 year old concrete using nanotomography; detection of localized and varying silicate chain depolymerization in Al-substituted tobermorite, and quantification of monosulfate distribution in tricalcium aluminate hydration using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy; detection and mapping of hydration products in high volume fly ash paste using microdiffraction; and determination of mechanical properties of various AFm phases using high pressure X-ray diffraction.

Creep Mechanisms of Calcium–Silicate–Hydrate: An Overview of Recent Advances and Challenges

“…This would be a reason why the creep of semiamorphous C-S-H prepared by synthesis is higher than that of tobermorite minerals as experimentally measured (Nguyen et al 2014). However, it is still unknown how to accurately access the atomic ordering in C-S-H due to its small dimensions, although some advanced nanoscale characterization techniques have shed some lights on it (Nonat 2004;Lothenbach and Nonat 2015;Chae et al 2013). In addition, the chemical composition and pore solution species are both likely to affect the structure of C-S-H (Lothenbach and Nonat 2015).…”

Effect of Autoclave Curing on the Microstructure of Blended Cement Mixture Incorporating Ground Dune Sand and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag

“…Recently, many tools have been used to examine the concrete structure not only at microscale but also at the nano-level (Chae et al 2013;Kar et al 2014). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermo-graphic analysis (DTA and TGA) are being used to study the microscale changes that occur in the cement paste and concrete structure (Murmu and Singh 2014;Singh et al 2015).…”

Recent studies of cements and concretes by synchrotron radiation crystallographic and cognate methods

“…Prof. Monteiro's group has reported two reviews [15,16] Figure 3. Summary of the different synchrotron techniques employed for characterizing cements and pastes.…”