Influence of nanosilica and diatomite on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of binder at unaged and oxidized conditions

•Modification of binder with nanosilica and diatomite was proposed.•Nanosilica and diatomite produced binders with largely different properties.•The transformations occurring in the binder due to modification and aging were analyzed.•The chemical interactions within the binder (cohesion) define its final performance. Modification of binders helps address common distresses in pavements by changing their essential properties. In order to further characterize the role of additives in these changes, a set of nanosilica and diatomite modified binders was analyzed to evaluate the performance under unaged and oxidized conditions. The results suggest that the mechanical and physicochemical behavior exhibited by binders is defined by the chemical interactions occurring within the material (cohesion). This study allowed understanding the chemical transformations occurring in the binder after modification and aging. Therefore, the results advance the achievement of materials with improved and engineered properties.