Effect of NaOH content on the fluidizing effect of PCEs with different structures in NaOH-activated slag

Abstract

The effect of NaOH content on the fluidizing effect of PCEs with varied architecture in AAS was investigated. The adsorption behavior of PCEs was measured by TOC, while their molecular stability was investigated via light transmittance and DLS. At high concentrations (>2 M), the fluidizing effect of PCEs with short side chains continuously decreased, while that of PCEs with long side chains first decreased and then increased. The decline in dispersing ability was attributed to the collapse of PCEs molecules rather than competitive adsorption of PCEs and OH−, while the subsequent improvement in the dispersing effect of PCEs with long side chains was attributed to the formation of soluble aggregates assembled by numerous PCE molecules, which resulted in a significant increase in adsorption layer thickness. PCEs with long side chains, an extremely high acid-to-ether ratio, and high molecular weight exhibited excellent dispersing effect over a wide range of NaOH concentrations.