Characterization of Nano-Cement phases by field Emission Scanning electron Microscopy (FESEM)

Some cement phases show a higher hydration rate compared with other chemical phases into the conventional Portland cement, also the particle size of the starting material is one of the most important factors affecting the hydration process of Portland cement, Ca3SiO5 and CPC. Moreover, the hydration will determinate some key properties of the final material such as the setting time and the compressive strength. This research is focused on an advanced procedure to characterize the nano-C2S (nano-Belite), and nano-C3S (nano-Alite) by microscopy according to their high rate hydration behaviors. For this reason, morphological and spectroscopic evidence on silica, di- and tricalcium silicate nanoparticles is presented