Influence of heavy metals on the early hydration of calcium sulfoaluminate

Abstract

The hydration of calcium sulfoaluminate \( ( {\text{C}}_{4} {\text{A}}_{3} \overline{\text{S}} ) \) in the presence of heavy metal is essential not only for applying the cement in solidification/stabilization (s/s) process, but also for preparing modern green cements from wastes containing heavy metals. In this study, the influence of gypsum, types, and concentrations of heavy metal nitrates (Pb(NO3)2, Cr(NO3)3·9H2O, Cu(NO3)2·3H2O, Zn(NO3)2·6H2O) on the hydration of \( {\text{C}}_{4} {\text{A}}_{3} \overline{\text{S}} \) during the first 24 h were investigated by isothermal conduction calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The addition of 20 % of gypsum to \( {\text{C}}_{4} {\text{A}}_{3} \overline{\text{S}} \) leads to a rapid formation of ettringite against monosulfate and acceleration of hydration. The effects of heavy metals on the hydration of \( {\text{C}}_{4} {\text{A}}_{3} \overline{\text{S}} \) depend on the types of heavy metals and the addition of gypsum. Without any gypsum addition, heavy metal nitrates such as Cr, Cu, and Zn promote the hydration of \( {\text{C}}_{4} {\text{A}}_{3} \overline{\text{S}} \), whereas Pb presents a strong retardation effect at the early age of \( {\text{C}}_{4} {\text{A}}_{3} \overline{\text{S}} \) hydration. When 20 % of gypsum is added to \( {\text{C}}_{4} {\text{A}}_{3} \overline{\text{S}} \), heavy metals tend to accelerate the hydration of the blended pastes except Zn. However, heavy metal containing phases were not detected in this work, which needs to be supplemented by further investigations.