The effect of nano SiO2 and spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst on cement hydration and physical mechanical properties

This paper describes research on the synergistic effect of nano-SiO2 (NS) and spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst (FCCCw) in cement pastes' pozzolanicity. Binary and ternary blended cement pastes containing 0.02% of NS and 5-20% of FCCCw were investigated. Hydration at early age followed using semi-adiabatic calorimetry. The macroscale properties were assessed by measuring density, ultrasonic pulse velocity and compressive strength. The microstructures were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The results are consistent among the different techniques and materials' levels and show that a small NS content promotes a marked synergistic enhancement of the pozzolanic reaction.