Kinetic analysis of C-S-H growth on calcite

Data for the rate of formation of calcium-silicate-hydrate on a calcite substrate are fitted to a model for growth of ellipsoidal particles. The time-dependent driving force for growth is calculated using a solid solution model for calcium-silicate-hydrate. The nucleation density and particle shape are estimated from SEM photos. Good agreement is found for the rate of growth and the fractional coverage of the substrate. The growth rate is found to have a cubic dependence on the supersaturation, and to be sensitive to the concentration of calcium hydroxide when that component is undersaturated.