Does your concrete need vitamin C?
Bio-Inspired Naturally Occurring Multifunctional Admixtures for concrete
2019-05-13 9:30 a.m.
Room A1006, Ruth Mulan Building
Introduction to Dr. Jialai Wang
Prof. Jialai Wang obtained his PhD in Civil Engineering from University of Akrom, USA, in 2003. He
started his independent research as an Assistant Professor in North Dakota State University in 2005. He
moved to the University of Alabama in 2006, where he was appointed to full Professor in 2017. He has
extensive experience in development, characterization, and simulation of construction and building
materials. In last 10 years, he has led a number of major projects funded by US federal funding agencies
such NSF, NASA, and DOE. Wang’s main research efforts focus on material innovations to enhance the
resilience and sustainability of civil infrastructure systems. His current research topics include:
Synthesis and characterization of innovative sustainable materials, including low and non-clinker
construction materials, fiber reinforced polymer composites, smart materials and nanocomposites
Multi-scale mechanical characterization and modeling of novel materials, including interfacial
fracture mechanics/chemistry, nanoindentation, AFM, SEM, and TEM
Microwave initiated carbon nanotube growth (MiCNT) method, an in-line, fast, inexpensive, and
scalable nanoengineering technique for structural composites
Durability and service-life modeling/prediction of composite materials/structures
Thermal energy storage materials for thermally activated building system
Overview of topics:
Production of the cement needed for concrete not only consumes large amount of energy, but also
generates about 7% of nation’s total CO2 emission. The major goal of this research is to reduce the
enormous of environmental impact of concrete through using naturally compounds as admixtures of
concrete. These additives can significantly improve the performance and durability of concrete. His recent
study discovers that some plant-based functional molecules can be used to enhance the mechanical
properties of concrete up to 80%. In addition, these naturally occurred compounds can inhibit the
corrosion of steel embedded within the concrete, leading to longer service of the structure. These natural
chemical compounds have enormous potential to be used as the next generation of additive for concrete
because of their salient features: low-cost, renewable, ubiquitous, and nontoxic.
Traditional Additives for concrete
Fly ash, slag, silica fume, metakaolin, and natural pozzolans as supplementary cementitious materials.
Chemical admixtures are air entrainer, water reducer, retarder, etc. Waste and recycled materials and also
natural fibers along with rice hush ash are traditional additives for concrete.
Tannic Acid (TA): roles, and effects
Naturally occurring chemical compounds from plants which are rich in catechols can be used as novel,
low cost, multifunctional admixture for concrete. Only adding small amount about 0.4% of tannic acid,
increases the compressive strength of concrete over 35%. Corrosion inhibitor, self-curing agent,
plasticizer, and anti-freeze agent are other functions of TA. TA is a water solvable plant polyphenol, and
world’s third largest class of plant components after cellulose and lignin. In addition, it is cheap
alternatives of dopamine ($1/kg). It changes the hydration process of C3S, retards the hydration of C3S
by in-situ producing nanoparticles which consumes the calcium ions in the fresh concrete and also affect
the hydration products.
Calorimeter testing confirm the finding from SEM images. There are two peaks on the heat release rate
curve. The first one is induced by the formation of nanoparticles. The second one is induced by the
resuming of hydration nucleated by the nanoparticles. Hydration of C3S is promoted by the homogeneous
nucleation of the nanoparticles, as suggested by the cumulative heat curve. Since, more TA is used in this
test the SEM investigation, the second peak appears at a much later time.
C3S hydration in 0.2% TA solution shows that TA changes the hydration process of C3S: 1) TA first
captures calcium ions dissolved from clinker to produce calcium tannate nanoparticles, 2) since most
calcium ions are consumed by the formation of nanoparticles, formation of further hydration products is
delayed. This may be the unique retarding mechanism of TA. 3) After an extended dormant stage,
calcium tannate nanoparticles are covered by CSH precipitate, as shown in the SEM image after 24h. This
suggests that these nanoparticles may function as seeding for CSH and convert the hydration of cement
from inhomogeneous nucleation into a homogeneous nucleation.
Mitigating retarding effect of TA
Method 1: Adding calcium source to concrete
Since TA will capture most calcium ions to produce nanoparticles, the retarding effect can be mitigated
by adding calcium sources to the concrete. Over 23% strength improvement is achieved.
Method 2: Adding extra nanoparticles
Colloidal nanosilica (CNS) can be added to compensate the retarding effect induced by theta through
seeding effect.
Method 3: In-situ production of nanosilica particles
In-situ producing in fresh concrete to facilitate the hydration of cement.
Vitamin C
Compressive strength of concrete is increased by addition of vitamin C. Others functions of vitamin C are
plasticizing, self-curing, corrosion inhibiting, anti-freeze, and anti-bacteria.
Conclusion
Next generation of chemical admixture for concrete should be renewable, low-cost, multifunctional, and
ubiquitous. Naturally occurred chemical compounds provide a new horizon for the study of sustainable
concrete. Full potential of OPC base concrete is not yet reached with existing technology.
