Nano-Engineered Cements with Enhanced Mechanical Performance

This article reports on the effect of liquid‐state mechano‐chemical activation on performance of nano‐engineered cements (NEC). Microstructural characterization of NEC and contribution of activated cement (AC) phase were investigated using dynamic light scattering, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and isothermal conduction calorimetry techniques. The effect of different parameters of liquid‐state activation, such as duration of activation and the composition of the AC is reported. Due to intensive milling and hydration, the AC is composed of up to 25% of nano‐ and submicrometer‐ sized cement grains and products of hydration, mainly, C–S–H and ettringite. Different quantities of AC (at 10%–30% cement replacing levels) were tested in NEC mortars. The compressive strength of NEC based materials with different types and dosages of AC was investigated. Research results demonstrated that proposed “top‐down” approach for production of nano‐sized and submicrometer phases of AC acting as seeds increases the rate of cement hydration and improves the compressive strength of cement‐based composites.