Effects of nano-SiO2, nano-CaCO3 and nano-TiO2 on properties and microstructure of the high content calcium silicate phase cement (HCSC)

•The influence of SiO2, CaCO3 and TiO2 nanoparticles on the properties of high content calcium silicate phase cement (HCSC) paste has been investigated.•Nanoparticles promote the hydration process and increase mean C-S-H chain.•Nanoparticles change the content of calcium hydroxide and optimized pore distribution. The performance of cement composites was significantly affected by clinker mineral component and nanomaterials. In this work, the effect of clinker mineral component and nanomaterials (nano-SiO2, nano-CaCO3, and nano-TiO2) on cement composites were investigated. Results illustrated that the optimal mineral compositions of C3S, C2S, C4AF, and C3A were 60.23%, 20.01%, 9.74%, and 10.02%, respectively. With the incorporation of nano-particles, the setting time of HCSC was shortened and strength was significantly enhanced, due to acceleration on hydration and optimization on microstructure. The CH content of HCSC containing nano-SiO2 was lower than that of reference due to pozzolanic activity at 28d, whereas the reversed results were found in the HCSC containing nano-CaCO3 and nano-TiO2 due to the nucleation effect promoting hydration. In addition, nano-particles increased mean silicate chain and Al/Si ratio of calcium-silicate-hydrate.