Determination of relevance between surface free energy and adsorption capacity of cement particles

Résumé

The compatibility between superplasticizer and cement was influenced by the adsorption capacity of cement particles. This study investigated the relevance between the adsorption capability and surface free energy. Adsorption capacity and surface free energy of both sulphoaluminate cement and portland cement were measured. The adsorption capacity of cement particles was measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The test showed that particles of sulphoaluminate cement adsorbed more molecules of superplasticizer than portland cement particles. The weight of superplasticizer adsorbed by 2g of sulphoaluminate cement and portland cement were 0.28mg and 0.159mg respectively. Surface free energy of cement particles was calculated by contact angle and the contact angles were determined by the thin-layer wicking technique and washburn equation which is theoretical basis of thin-layer wiching technique presented by Chibowski E. The sulphoaluminate cement, portland cement's surface free energy were 51.46 mJ·m^-2 and 49.36 mJ·m^-2 respectively. The results showed that the higher adsorption capacity of particles was usual accompanied by higher surface free energy. The fluidity of cement paste was influenced by the adsorption capacity of cement particles because the more molecules of superplasticizer was adsorbed by cement particles there were lacking superplasticizer in the paste. The macro-behaviour of higher adsorption capacity is that the cement paste need more superplasticizer to reach the needed fluidity.

Key words: surface free energy, adsorption, fluidity.