Nanostructural characterization of surfaces and interfaces of Portland cement mortars using atomic force microscopy

Abstract

The characterization of Portland cement mortars is very important in the study of the interfaces and surfaces that make up the system mortar/ceramic block. In this sense, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive (X-ray) spectrometer are important tools in investigating the morphology and chemical aspects. However, more detailed topographic information can be necessary in the characterization process. In this work, the aim was to characterize topographically surfaces and interfaces of mortars applied onto ceramic blocks. This has been accomplished by using the atomic force microscope (AFM) – MFP-3D-SA Asylum Research. To date, the results obtained from this research show that the characterization of cementitious materials with the help of AFM has an important contribution in the investigation and differentiation of hydrated calcium silicates (CSH), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2, ettringite and calcium carbonate by providing morphological and microtopographical data, which are extremely important and reliable for the understanding of cementitious materials.