Investigation of Material Properties of Hydrogen-rich Water Based Cement Pastes and Mortars

Abstract

With an aim to develop sustainable and smart construction material, the concrete admixtures are established to control the performances of the cement-based materials magnificently. The admixtures can improve cement based materials, manageability, acceleration, or retardation of setting time among other properties that could be altered to get the specific results. They are several chemical and mineral admixtures available to control the performances and properties of the cement concrete. However, the efficacy of these admixtures in controlling the performance of the cement systems at the application site is not adequate. Additionally, the underlying mechanism in controlling the performances of the concrete utilizing admixtures is yet to be investigated adequately. Moreover, the use of chemical admixtures shows enormous negative effects on the properties of cement systems. Understanding the mechanism of chemical admixtures in the controlling the performances of cement systems is an aspect of cement research. Therefore, in this study a new paradigm in cement-based materials is introduced, whereby conventional water in cement systems (pastes and mortars) is replaced by hydrogen-rich water (HRW). The prime aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) based cement pastes and mortars in terms of hydration mechanism, physico-mechanical properties, durability, and corrosion assessment. The results are supported by macro and micro scale characterizations. Overall, it was concluded that HRW based cement systems perform better than conventional water-based cement systems. The HRW results in rapid flocculation and nucleation of hydration products such as calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), which inturns lead to the rapid setting of cement pastes and mortars. The physicomechanical, corrosion, and durability performance of cement mortars are also enhanced in HRW environment.