Residential College | false |
Status | 已發表Published |
Rheology control of cement paste by in-situ polymerization for 3D printing applications | |
Zhaoyang Sun![]() ![]() | |
2025-01 | |
Source Publication | Cement and Concrete Research
![]() |
ISSN | 00088846 |
Volume | 187Pages:107731 |
Abstract | Rheology control is the most critical determinant of success in 3D concrete printing (3DCP), typically achieved through the hydration control of cement. However, this inevitably leads to overdesign of printed concrete featuring a low water-to-binder ratio (w/b), which is incompatible with its non-load bearing purpose and raises a series of environmental and durability problems, such as high carbon footprint and early-age shrinkage. Herein, we propose a novel rheology control strategy via in-situ polymerization, allowing the mix design of printed concrete with a high w/b ratio of 0.6. The proposed approach consists of two stages: 1) introducing monomers as retarders to extend the open time during pumping, and 2) incorporating initiators into the mixture to trigger polymerization, facilitating the structural build-up after deposition by forming polymer bridges between cement particles. We show that the addition of monomers significantly retards yield stress growth, while the following in-situ polymerization engenders a rapid strength development, satisfying the rheological requirements for 3DCP. Mechanistic experiments reveal that the retarding effect results from the complexation of monomers with aqueous species, such as Ca2+ ions, thereby hindering the nucleation of hydrates. As polymerization initiates, the impetus for the structural build-up of the cement pastes first originates from the proliferation of polymer bridges due to the gradual formation and adsorption of polymer, and then relies on the reinforcement of these polymer bridges through the formation of chemical bonds or crosslinks. On top of the environmental benefit, the proposed strategy holds the potential in avoiding admixtures conflict, mitigating early-age shrinkage, and improving mechanical properties. Our strategy opens possibilities for a novel technical route to achieve rheology control of 3DCP, and the discovery in this work will be a landmark for revealing the mechanism of 3DCP via in-situ polymerization. |
Keyword | 3d Concrete Printing (3dcp) In-situ Polymerization Rheology Control |
DOI | 10.1016/j.cemconres.2024.107731 |
URL | View the original |
Publisher | Elsevier Ltd |
Scopus ID | 2-s2.0-85209589345 |
Fulltext Access | |
Citation statistics | |
Document Type | Journal article |
Collection | INSTITUTE OF APPLIED PHYSICS AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING |
Corresponding Author | Binmeng Chen |
Affiliation | University of Macau |
Recommended Citation GB/T 7714 | Zhaoyang Sun,Yuyang Zhao,Dongshuai Hou,et al. Rheology control of cement paste by in-situ polymerization for 3D printing applications[J]. Cement and Concrete Research, 2025, 187, 107731. |
APA | Zhaoyang Sun., Yuyang Zhao., Dongshuai Hou., Zongjin Li., & Binmeng Chen (2025). Rheology control of cement paste by in-situ polymerization for 3D printing applications. Cement and Concrete Research, 187, 107731. |
MLA | Zhaoyang Sun,et al."Rheology control of cement paste by in-situ polymerization for 3D printing applications".Cement and Concrete Research 187(2025):107731. |
Files in This Item: | There are no files associated with this item. |
Items in the repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
Edit Comment