Advances in Cement Research, 2005, 17, No.

1, January, 921

The role of magnesium during the hydration of

C3S and C-S-H formation. Scanning electron
microscopy and mid-infrared studies
L. Fernandez*, C. Alonso*, A. Hidalgo* and C. Andrade*

Institute of Construction Science Eduardo Torroja (CSIC), Madrid, Spain

Mid-infrared (IR) spectra of a series of calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) gels synthesised from C3 S in the
presence of magnesium oxide show many similarities with the mid-IR spectra of pure C-S-H gels. However, the
presence of the vibration bands attributed to brucite is observed in all spectra of C-S-H synthesised with MgO,
although only the sample with the highest CaO/SiO2 ratio (1.8) reveals a large shoulder centred at 530 cm
1 ,
which has been assigned to the presence of magnesium with a four-fold coordination inserted in the silica chains
of the C-S-H gel. The postulated formation of magnesium silicate hydrates (M-S-H) gel was detected by scanning
electron microscope and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays in some areas of the C-S-H gel with the lowest
CaO/SiO2 ratio (0.66).

25,28
Bonen, simultaneously with the formation of crys-
Introduction
talline brucite and he has also considered the possibility
28
In recent times the incorporation of elements such as of an amorphous brucite formation.
Mg, Na, Cs, K, Sr or even heavy metals during The C-S-H of the cement paste is characterised by a
formation of calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) gel has poorly ordered structure with a variable
114 29,30
been the subject of many studies. Some of these composition, CaO/SiO2 (Ca/Si) ratio and [Ca] con-
31
have investigated the incorporation of environmentally trol of the C-S-H gel structure. The stoichiometry of
unfriendly heavy metals into the cement matrix or the most C-S-H gels has been found to be in the range of
3,4,1524 3137
stabilisation of radioactive waste. For this rea- 0.66 , Ca/Si , 2.
son, the study of the mechanisms of interaction be- For a Ca/Si ratio of approximately 0.66, the structure
tween the C-S-H and those elements is of particular of the C-S-H gel presents some analogy with tobermor-
interest. ite, having silicate tetrahedral sheets of SiO2 linear
38,39
There are several reports that deal with the incor- chains associated with an octahedral sheet of CaO.
poration of magnesium into the C-S-H The chain length is assumed infinite. When the Ca/Si
911,2528 11
structure. The relevant study of Pytel con- ratio is increased from 0.66 to 1, calcium appears in
2
siders the incorporation of limited amounts of Mg the interlayer space and the chain length is shortened.
ions into tobermorite, xonotlite and C-S-H. Using Figure 1 shows a typical structure of tetrahedral silicate
40,41
scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Pytel concluded proposed by Klur et al. With a Ca/Si ratio of
that the excess of MgO is hydrated to form Mg(OH)2 , approximately 1.5 and [Ca2 ] 22 mmol/l, Ca(OH)2
and forms magnesium silicate hydrate (M-S-H) of (portlandite) precipitates in equilibrium with the C-S-H
poorly developed structure (MgO/SiO2  1.5) after gel. For this Ca/Si ratio, the structure of the C-S-H is
42
longer periods of hydration. depicted only by silicate dimmers.
The appearance of M-S-H was also postulated by This paper presents the results of a study to investi-
gate the incorporation of magnesium into the C-S-H
gel as a function of the CaO/SiO2 ratio. The C-S-H gel
was synthesised from tricalcium silicate (C3 S) in the
*Institute of Construction Science Eduardo Torroja (C.S.I.C.),
Serrano Galvache 4, 28033, Madrid, Spain.
presence of MgO. Infrared spectroscopy and electronic
(ACR 3430) Paper received 21 January 2003; last revised 12 microscopy techniques were used to follow the Mg
November 2003; accepted 20 July 2004 interaction with C-S-H.
9

0951-7197 # 2005 Thomas Telford Ltd

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 Fernandez et al.

Q2

Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2

Ca2octa.non labil
Interlayer space
Q1
Q2p

Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2

Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2

Ca2 octa. Q3 defect

Q2v Q1
non labil Interlayer space

Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2

Fig. 1. Structure of a C-S-H gel for CaO/SiO2 ratios < 1 according to Klur 40

Experimental section
Preparation of samples
C-S-H gels with different CaO/SiO2 ratios were
synthesised in the presence of magnesium oxide. The
synthesis was performed using mixes of magnesium
oxide, C3 S and silica gel. CaO/SiO2 ratios ranged from
approximately 0.6 to approximately 1.6 and MgO/
CaO  0.5 (Table 1). The C3 S and MgO proportions
were maintained constant but the silica gel content was
varied.
The silica gel employed had 99.5% purity, and was
previously dehydrated at 100 8C for 8 h. Magnesium
oxide was obtained from magnesium hydroxycarbonate
(99.5% purity) previously decarbonated and dehydroxy-
lated at 1000 8C for 14 h. The chemical analysis of C3 S

Table 1. Mass of each chemical component mixed for the synthesis of the samples
C3 S: g
MgO: g CaO/SiO2 MgO/CaO
Samples CaO (62.49%) SiO2 (24.92%)
S1 1.5 1.5750 0.3320 0.53 0.49
S2 1.5 1.0419 0.3320 0.72 0.49
S3 1.5 0.6040 0.3320 1.04 0.49
S4 1.5 0.3020 0.3320 1.52 0.49

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 Role of magnesium during hydration of C3 S and C-S-H formation

is given in Table 1. The mean diameter of the grains of
C3 S was 15.3 m.
Before hydration, and to ensure the homogeneity of
the mixes, the reactants C3 S, silica gel and MgO were
blended into an agate mortar in the presence of acetone
and stirred for 10 min to facilitate particle dispersion.
Afterwards the mixes were dried with a heater.
The homogenised reactants were mixed with distilled
and decarbonated water at a water/solid ratio of 5. The
hydration was performed for 23 days in hydrothermal
conditions at 100 8C inside an autoclave.
Chemical analysis
After hydration, the solids and liquids were separated
by filtration. The moist solid samples were dried with
acetone to stop further hydration. Chemical analyses of
Mg, Si and Ca were performed on the liquids and
solids; the results are given in Table 2.

Table 2. Chemical analyses of the liquid and solid phases

Liquid phase Solid phase

pH Ca2 : Si4 : Mg2 : CaO: SiO2 : MgO: LOI: [CaO]/ [MgO]/

[SiO2 ] [CaO]
Samples ppm ppm ppm wt% wt% wt% wt%
S1 9.76 81.9 7.28 0.2 28.41 45.80 8.33 20.60 0.66 0.41
S2 11.98 164.3 1.74 0.2 29.31 35.21 8.72 22.47 0.88 0.42
S3 12.58 540.1 0.37 0.2 37.61 31.56 10.92 27.88 1.26 0.40
S4 12.72 692.6 0.63 0.2 43.83 25.64 12.70 23.57 1.81 0.41
LOI, loss of ignition.

CaCO3
(1490 and 870)

SiOSi bending
(680 and 600)
60

HOH bending
(1650)

40
Silica gel (1100)
OH
(3720)

H 2O
(3460)
20

Internal deformation
C-S-H of TO4 tetrahedra
(970)
(460)

4000 3500 1500 1000 200

Fig. 2. Mid-IR absorption spectra (cm
1 ) of the sample S1

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 Fernandez et al.

after hydrothermal hydration, and of the solid phases is

Characterisation techniques
Mid-infrared (IR) absorption spectra of the solid
phases were recorded with a Perkin Elmer 783 IR
spectrometer equipped with a KBr beam splitter. The
spectral range was analysed between 400 and
4000 cm
1 .
For the microstructural and morphological features,
scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dis-
persive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) were carried out
with a JEOL JSM 5400 and an Oxford EDAX with
Link Isis software. Sample S4 was analysed by SEM
(fracture mode) but sample S1 was analysed using the
back-scattered electron microscope. For this last case,
the sample was prepared by impregnating it with an
epoxy mix, slicing and polishing with successively
finer grades of diamond grit.
given in Table 2.
Calcium and silicon ions were present in the liquids.
The amount of calcium ions in solution was observed
to increase as the CaO/SiO2 ratio of the mixes was
increased, whereas the opposite effect was observed
with silicon. Magnesium ions were detected in the
liquid phases but only at trace levels. The pH values of
the liquids increased in parallel with the CaO/SiO2
ratio.
The solid hydrated samples showed an increasing
content of CaO from S1 to S4 whereas the SiO2
content decreased. The chemical compositions of the
solid phases are given in Table 2 with their CaO/SiO2
and MgO/CaO ratios. The CaO/SiO2 ratios of the
hydrated samples range from 0.66 to 1.81 and MgO/
CaO was 0.4. The rest was in the form of water in
hydrated products.

Results
Chemical composition of the solids and the liquids
The composition of both the liquid phases obtained
Mid-IR results
The mid-IR spectra of the four samples are presented
in Figs 2 to 5. In all samples, groups of bands in the
range of 8001200 cm
1 can be seen, corresponding to

SiOSi bending of CSH

CaCO3
(680)
(1490 and 870)

HOH bending
(1650)
60

OH
(3720)

40
H 2O Silica gel (1100)
(3460)

20 C-S-H
(970) Internal deformation
of TO4 Tetrahedra
(460)

4000 3500 1500 1000

400

Fig. 3. Mid-IR absorption spectra (cm
1 ) of the sample S2

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 Role of magnesium during hydration of C3 S and C-S-H formation

CaCO3
(1460 and 880)

SiOSi bending of
C-S-H
60

HOH bending
(1650)
OH
(3720)

40
H 2O

Silica gel (1100)

20 C-S-H Internal deformation

(970)
of TO4 tetrahedra
(460)

4000 3500 1500 1000 400

Fig. 4. Mid-IR absorption spectra (cm
1 ) of the sample S3

the asymmetric and symmetric stretching vibrations of
Si-O bonds. One band at about 650 cm
1 is attributed
the Si-O-Si bending vibrations, and the group of bands
at approximately 400500 cm
1 correspond to the
deformation of the TO4 tetrahedra form (T Si, Al,
Mg. . .).
Vibration bands are also present at approximately
970 and 1650 cm
1 in all samples. A shoulder can be
identified at 1100 cm
1 , and it increases in parallel
with the CaO/SiO2 ratio from S1 to S4.
The asymmetric stretching of CO3 2
from carbonates
can be observed in the range of 14001600 cm
1 . A
weak shoulder, which corresponds to the out-of-plane
43
bending of appears at approximately 875 cm
1 . These
bands are due to a slight carbonation of the samples by
the autoclave atmosphere or during the sample prepara-
tion for the characterisation tests.
The attributions of the vibrations are given in the
following list.
The band at 1650 cm
1 corresponds to the H-O-H
bending vibration of the molecular H2 O.
Advances in Cement Research, 2005, 17, No. 1
The shoulder centred at 1100 cm
1 can be attributed
43
to the Si-O stretching vibrations in silica gel.
The characteristic band centred at approximately
970 cm
1 (Figs 25) is assigned to the Si-O
43
stretching vibrations of the Si(Q2 ) tetrahedral.
At approximately 3000 to 3800 cm
1 , all samples
show the stretching vibration of O-H groups in H2 O or
43
hydroxyl.
An increasing symmetric O-H vibration about
3720 cm
1 , that increases as the CaO/SiO2 ratio in-
creases from S1 to S4, is attributed to brucite (3700
4446
cm1 ).
Only sample S4 (Fig. 5) displays a Si-O stretching at
815 cm
1 . Moreover, in the range of deformation of
SiO4 tetrahedra (400500 cm
1 ), a large shoulder is
observed at about 530 cm1 , in detail in Fig. 6. This
shoulder appears clearly for sample S4 and has not
been previously described in mid-IR absorption spectra
of pure C-S-H gel having a similar CaO/SiO2 molar
43
ratio.
13

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 Fernandez et al.

80
CaCO3
(1460 and
860)

Q1
(815)
SiOSi bending
60
of C-S-H
HOH bending
(1650)

H2O 40 Internal deformation of

MgO4 tetrahedra
silica gel (1100) (530)

OH
(3720) C-S-H
(970)

20

Internal deformation of
SiO4 tetrahedra
(460)

4000 3500 1500 1000 400

Fig. 5. Mid-IR absorption spectra (cm
1 ) of the sample S4

Microscopy results To identify magnesium incorporation into C-S-H gels

The SEM micrograph and EDAX spectra of the
samples S1 and S4 are presented in Figs 7 and 8,
respectively. The S1 and S4 samples have been chosen
because their respective CaO/SiO2 ratios are represen-
29,33
tative of the two C-S-H models proposed by Taylor.
EDAX analyses of different areas of sample S1 and S4
are given in Figs 7 and 8 in order to identify the
variations in the composition of the samples.
SEM analysis in the backscattered electron mode
was used for sample S1 in order to examine the
different phases of hydrated zones. The image in the
backscattered electron mode presented in Fig. 7 is
divided into two main areas, identified as whiteness
and grey. The whiteness zones are magnesium rich but
with some silicon. The grey zone is mainly composed
by calcium and silicon but with a very small magne-
sium content.
Sample S4 (Fig. 8) presents a granulated structure
with a quite homogeneous distribution. The morph-
ology of sample S4 is assimilated to a gel, in which no
crystals are detected.
14
and/or precipitation of M-S-H, EDAX was also applied
to the different local areas of sample S4 (Fig. 8 and
Table 3). Areas rich in magnesium and others mainly
composed of C-S-H are identified. The M-S-H phase
formation could not be deduced by EDAX mapping
areas, as the simultaneous presence of Si, Ca and Mg is
always detected. The EDAX analyses give mean CaO/
SiO2 and MgO/CaO ratios of 1.35 and 0.71 (Table 3),
respectively.
Discussion
Hydrothermal hydration of C3 S and phase formation
in the presence of MgO
The hydration of C3 S to synthesise C-S-H gel at
29
room temperature is a slow reactive process. Taylor
found that only 70% of C3 S had reacted at room
4749
temperature after 28 days. Others authors have also
shown that Q0 from anhydrous species (C3 S) still exists
after 2 months of hydration. Probably the C-S-H shells
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 Role of magnesium during hydration of C3 S and C-S-H formation
40
20
S1
Internal deformation of
SiO4 tetrahedra
(460 cm21) 60
40
20
S2
Fig. 6. Mid-IR absorption spectra for the samples S1S4 from 200 to 1000 cm
1
protect each C3 S grain by slowing down the progres-
sion of the H2 O molecules to the core of C3 S grains. If
50
hydrothermal hydration at 100 8C is employed, Masse
showed that after 14 days, C3 S is almost completely
transformed into C-S-H gel and at 120 8C, the Q0
anhydrous (C3 S) disappeared. In the present study,
hydrothermal conditions at 120 8C were discarded
because this temperature allows additional crystallo-
50
graphic phases to be formed in presence of MgO as
crystalline Mg silicate phases, which would make
interpretation of the results difficult. For this reason a
temperature of 100 8C for the hydrothermal hydration
of C3 S in presence of MgO was considered in present
work.
The Si-O stretching vibrations of C3 S and C2 S do
45
not appear in the spectra of hydrated samples, so the
anhydrous residue must be very low.
A schematic representation of the phase relations in
the system of MgOSiO2 CaOH2 O, including sam-
ples S1 to S4, is given in the ternary diagram of Fig. 9.
In this, the compositions of the hydrated phases have
been projected on to the anhydrous base of the system.
Each point has been plotted from the chemical analyses
of Table 2. In order to approach the mineralogy of the
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Internal deformation of
MgO4 tetrahedra
(530 cm21)
S4
Internal deformation of
SiO4 tetrahedra
(460 cm21)
S3
samples, some known minerals containing magnesium
are also plotted, such as akermanite (Ca2 MgSi2 O7 ),
tremolite (Ca2 Mg5 Si8 O22 (OH)2 ), monticellite
(CaMgSiO4 ), diopside (CaMgSi2 O6 ), merwinite
(Ca3 Mg(SiO4 )2 ), bredigite (Ca7 Mg(SiO4 )4 ). The M-S-
H (MgOSiO2 binary system) and C-S-H are also
included in order to localise the composition of the
samples used in the present study.
The samples are nearer to the chemical composition
of C-S-H than M-S-H and this can be deduced from
Fig. 9. Furthermore, the chemical composition of the
S3 and S4 samples are in the area of monticellite,
bredigite, merwinite and akermanite.
C-S-H gels synthesised in the presence of MgO for
CaO/SiO2 ratios , 1.1
The infrared spectra of samples S1 and S2 are rather
similar to those of the various pure C-S-H gels
43
published by Yu et al. and have similar CaO/SiO2
ratios. However, a new band appears in the presence of
MgO (3720 cm
1 ), and this was assigned to
4446
brucite. The intensity of the sharp symmetric band
increases as the CaO/SiO2 ratio grows and this suggests
an increase in brucite content.
15
 Fernandez et al.
Fig. 7. SEM micrograph in the back-scattered electron mode and EDAX analysis of sample S1
In the presence of MgO, the C-S-H gels formed with
a low CaO/SiO2 ratio (, 1) and the replacement of one
labile calcium from the interlayer space (Fig. 1) by one
magnesium may be possible. The magnesium in the
interlayer space would have an octahedral coordination.
51 52 53
For instance Tarte, Farmer and Lazarev described
in minerals the magnesiumoxygen stretching for octa-
hedral coordination in the range around 300480 cm
1
(far-infrared region). No remarkable vibrations of the
MgO stretching from octahedral co-ordination (300
480 cm
1 ) were observed, in the present work. The lack
of any observation of a magnesiumoxygen stretching
for octahedral co-ordination does not necessarily imply
that the vibration is not present, but might due to poor
resolution of the spectrometer in the far-infrared region.
However, EDAX results, on sample S1 (CaO/
SiO2 0.66), suggest that the C-S-H coexists with
brucite (Fig. 7). Some areas that have a high content of
magnesium and silicon, but low calcium, may be
attributed to M-S-H with a MgO/SiO2 ratio 2.21,
although with a different stoichiometry to that given by
11
Pytel (1.5).
16
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C-S-H gels synthesised in the presence of MgO for
CaO/SiO2 ratios . 1.1
The infrared spectra of samples S3 and S4 are
43
similar to that Yu et al. and again brucite was
detected (3720 cm
1 ). The presence of portlandite was
not revealed even though the CaO/SiO2 ratio was
higher than 1.5 (S4). The portlandite should be present,
but the expected band was not observed, and conse-
quently the hydration of C3 S in presence of magnesium
oxide hinders the precipitation of portlandite.
As noted in the results, a large shoulder was ob-
served in sample S3 at 530 cm
1 . This vibration is
typical of the range of the TO4 tetrahedra deformation
(T Si, Al, Mg. . .) from 400 to 600 cm
1 (Fig. 6).
The new vibration of S4 is largely shifted from the
MgO frequencies for magnesium in octahedral coordi-
5153
nation (300480 cm1 ). The appearance of this
shoulder suggests other possibilities.
(a) The insertion of magnesium in the gap of the Q2p
tetrahedron; this possibility should modify the TO4
deformation vibration of the Si(Q2 ) tetrahedron, and
Advances in Cement Research, 2005, 17, No. 1
 Role of magnesium during hydration of C3 S and C-S-H formation

Fig. 8. SEM micrograph and EDAX analysis of sample S4 for various areas

Advances in Cement Research, 2005, 17, No. 1 17

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 Fernandez et al.

Table 3. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays of the different areas of samples
S1 and S4
Sample S1 Sample S4

Molar ratio Grey area Whiteness area Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Global area
CaO/SiO2 0.49 0.08 0.86 1.75 0.80 1.02 1.35
MgO/CaO 0.37 28.60 1.02 0.15 1.75 0.48 0.71
MgO/SiO2 0.18 2.21 0.82 0.26 1.40 0.49

H2O
00 10
Talc, enstatite,
antigorite, forsterite
01 09 and M-S-H
Range of C-S-H gel,
CaO/SiO2 ratio 02 08
between 05 and 18

03 07

Tr
04

em
06

ol
ite
S1

SiO
05

2
05
O

Diopside
Ca

S2

06 04
S3 Akermanite

Monticellite
07 03
ite
ite

S4
in
ig

w
ed

er
Br

08 02

09 01

10 00

00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

MgO

Fig. 9. Ternary diagram for the MgOSiO2 CaOH2 O system showing the S1S4 samples in the presence of silicates
containing magnesium and/or calcium

induce a shift of the SiO vibration of the Q2 oxygen stretching described in akermanite
53
tetrahedron (Fig. 10(a)). However, this possibility (Ca2 MgSi2 O7 ). The crystallographic structure of
would lead to a vibration largely shifted by about akermanite is constituted by calcium octahedra,
70 cm
1 . magnesium and silicon tetrahedra sites (Fig. 10(b)). In
(b) If the vibration is attributed to a deformation of akermanite, the absorption between 600 and 500 cm
1
MgO4 tetrahedra (Fig. 10(a)) the incorporation of has been ascribed to the MgO vibrations of the MgO4
53
tetrahedral magnesium in the gap of the Q2p silicon tetrahedron. In fact, the second sphere of co-ordina-
tetrahedra would be equilibrated by calcium, because tion of magnesium tetrahedra coordinated in
54
the Loweinsteins rules exclude the balance by akermanite (Fig. 10(b)) is close to the structure drawn
magnesium (MgOMg). This option is more likely. in Fig. 10(a).
51 52 53
In fact Tarte, Farmer and Lazarev also reported The appearance of a signal at approximately
the vibration of the MgO4 deformation centred at 530 cm1 attributed to tetrahedral coordination of mag-
500550 cm1 , the same range that is found in the nesium does not imply that all of the MgO4 is intro-
present work. duced in the gap of the silica chain, as others sites exist
in C-S-H that could be occupied by magnesium. In a
The actual vibration is also close to the magnesium gel, numerous empty sites exist, but there are few
18 Advances in Cement Research, 2005, 17, No. 1

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 Role of magnesium during hydration of C3 S and C-S-H formation

Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2

Q2p(Si) H Q0p(Mg)
Ca2 1 Ca2
Ca 2
octa.non labil Q
Gap of Q2p(Si)
H H
Q1
Q2(Si) Ca2 octa. labil

Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2 Ca2

(a)
Q1(SiOSi, 2SiOCa, SiOMg

1
AKERMANITE b

c a
(b)

Fig. 10. (a) Localisation of the magnesium ions into the dreierketten pattern of the C-S-H gel for sample S4. (b) Structure of
akermanite. Spatial group: P421m. Lattice parameters: a 7.8338 A, b 5.0082 A, alpha 90.008, beta 90.008,
gamma 90.008

materials, due their peculiar chemical surrounding, that
hold tetrahedral magnesium; these materials are
55 56 56 57
MgAl2 O4, MgSiN2 , MgAlSiN3, and akermanite.
There is no evidence of the M-S-H formation for
high CaO/SiO2 ratio of C-S-H gels, either from IR, or
Advances in Cement Research, 2005, 17, No. 1
from EDAX, as high contents of Ca/Si are always
detected together with some Mg. In addition, some
areas in S4 contained high amounts of magnesium.
However, the EDAX spectrum, which would be repre-
11
sentative of a M-S-H is not observed.
19

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 Fernandez et al.
Conclusions
Mid-IR spectra of samples (C-S-H gels) synthesised
after hydrothermal reaction of C3 S in the presence of
MgO and silica gel, with different CaO/SiO2 molar
ratios, show similarities with pure C-S-H gels. The
relevant differences found during the present study are
listed here.
(a) The formation of the brucite is suggested for all
samples and increases with CaO/SiO2 ratio of C-S-H.
(b) The formation of M-S-H has only been identified for
CaO/SiO2 0.6.
(c) The most remarkable result is found in the range of
deformation of SiO4 tetrahedra, for the C-S-H gel
with the highest CaO/SiO2 molar ratio (1.8). A
shoulder appears at approximately 530 cm1 , which
suggests a magnesium incorporation into four-fold
co-ordinated sites of C-S-H gel.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the Ministerio de Educacion y
Ciencia and the C.I.C.Y.T of Spain for the funds
provided, as well as the DG-XII of the EU: UNICORN
Project (BRPR-CT97-0511). We also thank Dr C.
Vernet (Lafarge Society) for the synthesis of the C3 S
and Dr R. Couty (E.S.P.C.I, France) for helpful discus-
sions concerning IR spectroscopy.
References
1. El-Korashy S. A. and Al-Wakeel E. I. Cation exchange
reaction of Mg2 with synthetic calcium silicate hydrate
phase. 11.3 A-Ca5 Si6 O18 H2 O.4H2 O. Egyptian Journal of
Chemistry, 1999, 42, No. 3, 237249.
2. Brough A. R., Richardson I. G., Groves G. W. and Dobson
C. M. Alkali activation of reactive silicas in cements: in situ
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Si MAS NMR studies of the kinetics of silicate polymeriza-
tion. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Spectroscopy of Cement-
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