Effects of Nano-CSH on the hydration process and mechanical property of cementitious materials

Nanomaterials are widely used in cement to improve the various properties of cement-based materials. Nano-CSH is considered as an effective accelerator for the hydration of cement. This paper studied the effects of nano-CSH on the hydration behavior and compressive strength of cementitious materials with various mineral admixtures. Isothermal calorimetry test was used to study the early hydration of cement paste. Thermogravimetric and X-ray diffraction tests were used to study the evolution of hydration product and unhydrated mineral phases in the hydrated cement paste. The presentation of compressive strength can evaluate the influence of nano-CSH on the property of cement-based material at the macro level. The obtained results show that the used nano-CSH can promote the hydration of tricalcium silicate (C₃S), and is more active on the hydration of tricalcium aluminate (C₃A) in the samples with GGBFS. The presence of nano-CSH can definitely accelerate the secondary hydration reaction of mineral admixtures.