Rapid Water Absorption Research Articles

Preparing and Characterizing of Xyloglucan Films Containing Tea Extract for Oral Mucositis.

This study aimed to prepare films using Xyloglucan (Xylo) and tea extract (TE) to treat aphthous stomatitis without causing discomfort. Xylo, which gelates by adding polyphenol, was used as a gelation agent, and TE, which contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) with antioxidant properties, was used as an active pharmaceutical agent. Two kinds of films, hydrogel and xerogel films, were prepared by mixing various amounts of Xylo and TE. Their gelling behavior and physicochemical properties were evaluated. The sol-gel transition temperature increased with increased TE content, and the rupture strength of the films increased with increasing Xylo and TE concentrations. Rapid water absorption and high adhesiveness were observed during the reconstruction process from the xerogel to the hydrogel. The concentrations of Xylo and TE controlled the formulations' physicochemical properties and the EGCG release rate. These results concluded that the xerogel prepared by using Xylo and TE could be applied as an oral mucosal adherent film formulation.

Microstructural Evolution and Damage Mechanism of Water-Immersed Coal Based on Physicochemical Effects of Inorganic Minerals.

Coal seam water injection technology enables seam permeability enhancement and facilitates outburst risk reduction. This study investigated the microscale effects of water infiltration on coal and the evolution mechanisms of its mechanical properties. To this end, we systematically analyzed dynamic changes (such as mineral composition, pore structure, and mechanical performance) in coal soaked for various durations using X-ray diffraction, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and uniaxial compression testing. The results indicate: (1) the coal NMR T2 spectrum displays three characteristic peaks, corresponding to rapid water absorption, uniform transition, and stabilization stages of soaking traditionally divided according to peak area variation trends. (2) The coal strength decreases with progressive soaking, influenced by water content, pore volume, mineral composition, etc. Its compressive strength and elastic modulus drop by 22.4% and 19.5%, respectively, compared to the initial values. (3) The expansion of clay minerals during immersion reduces average pore size. In contrast, quartz particle displacement, pore water movement, and soluble mineral dissolution increase pore volume, reducing the overall structure strength. (4) The dominant factors driving the degradation of mechanical properties vary across immersion stages, including water content and specific mineral concentration. This work offers new insights into how hydraulic technology alters coal seams, providing theoretical support for optimizing water injection strategies in the seam.

Investigating the influence of various metakaolin combinations with different proportions of pond ash and Alccofine 1203 on ternary blended geopolymer concrete at ambient curing.

This paper explores the use of a ternary blended geopolymer concrete (TBGPC) incorporating metakaolin (MK), pond ash (PA), and Alccofine 1203 (AF). Three combinations of MK (25%, 50%, and 75%) with varying proportions of PA and AF were prepared, validating against M30 grade cement concrete (CC). TBGPC was prepared with an 8 molarity sodium hydroxide, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio of 2.0, liquid to binder ratio of 0.5, and an ambient curing mode. For CC, a water to cement ratio of 0.42 and water curing mode were adopted. The mechanical properties and durability behavior of TBGPC and CC specimens were evaluated through compressive strength, rapid chloride penetration test, permeability test, sorptivity test, and water absorption test. The M50P35A15 mix demonstrated remarkable compressive strength improvements, showing a 203% increase over the CC mix at 1day and 250% by 3days. This trend continued with a 155% increase at 7days, 68% at 28days, and 52% at 90days, consistently outperforming the CC mix. Additionally, microstructure characteristics of the M50P35A15 mix were analyzed through SEM studies, providing validation for the observed strength development. Notably, M50P35A15 mix demonstrated substantially higher early and later strength gain. This enhancement in strength was attributed to the gradual densification of the microstructure over time and the formation of additional NASH and CASH gel in M50P35A15 mix. At 28days, the M50P35A15 mix exhibited excellent durability characteristics, with a Coulomb value of 1008, permeability of 10mm, sorptivity of 0.45mm/√min × 10-4, and water absorption of 1.07%. This study demonstrates the potential of MK, PA, and AF as viable materials for sustainable geopolymer concrete, offering a low-carbon alternative to traditional cement concrete with superior strength and durability aspects.

The effect of Dolomite powder and Fly ash on durability properties of self-compacting concrete

Abstract This study aims to assess the effectiveness of dolomite mineral admixture in the production of self-compacting concrete (SCC). The characteristics of concrete at 7 and 28 days of hardening were evaluated. SCC mixtures with different amounts of dolomite powder and fly ash (FA) at a constant composition were made. It has been noted that the flow ability of SCC mixes gets better with increasing percentages of dolomite. In addition to its mechanical characteristics, the durability of mixes containing SCC has been studied, including water absorption, sorptivity, and permeability to chloride ions and acid attack. After 28 days, a strength of 61 MPa was achieved with a 20% DP replacement level mixture, which is 31.38% higher than the control SCC mix. Along with the compressive strength of SCC, parameters affecting the durability of SCC such as Rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT), Sorptivity, water absorption and hydrochloric acid attack were also studied at 28 days. The utmost resistance to permeability of chloride ions was attained.

Unlocking The Potential Of Natural Polymers: A Comparative Study For Innovative Drug Delivery Systems

This study aims to characterize and compare four biopolymers - pectin, guar gum, xanthan gum, and sodium alginate - for their potential use in drug delivery systems by evaluating their hydrophilicity, pH sensitivity, and thermosensitivity. Biopolymer films were prepared and subjected to water absorption tests for hydrophilicity, gravimetric analysis in varying pH conditions for pH sensitivity, and weight change measurements after heat exposure for thermosensitivity. Each test was conducted in five trials to ensure reliability. Pectin demonstrated the highest responsiveness across all tests, showing rapid water absorption (6.46 seconds), significant pH sensitivity (0.53g weight change in acidic conditions), and high thermosensitivity (0.378g weight change). Guar gum showed moderate responsiveness, while xanthan gum and sodium alginate exhibited the most stability across varying conditions. Pectin's high responsiveness suggests suitability for smart, multi-stimuli-responsive systems. Guar gum's moderate responsiveness indicates potential for controlled release formulations. The stability of xanthan gum and sodium alginate makes them ideal for applications requiring consistent drug release in diverse physiological environments. This study offers a comprehensive, comparative analysis of four widely used biopolymers, filling a gap in the existing literature. The results provide a foundation for developing tailored, sustainable drug delivery systems, contributing to the advancement of personalized medicine and environmentally friendly pharmaceutical practices

A Janus hydrogel that enables wet tissue adhesion and resists abdominal adhesions

Hydrogels have indeed achieved significant advancements, yet their clinical translation has been hampered by their inherent limitations in wet adhesion properties. Furthermore, the design of adhesive hydrogels that can resist postoperative adhesions remains an intricate challenge. In this study, we introduce a Janus hydrogel (JGP) that offers a novel approach to address these challenges. The JGP hydrogel has two asymmetrical sides, consisting of an adhesion layer (AL) and an anti-adhesion layer (AAL). Specifically, the AL incorporates three key components: N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]acrylamide (THMA), acrylic acid (AAc), and the acrylic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (AAc-NHS). By drying the AL, it has a rapid water absorption capability. The abundance of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups in the AL enables the formation of robust hydrogen bonds with tissues, thereby achieving superior adhesive properties. Additionally, the synergistic effect of THMA's tridentate hydrogen bonding and the covalent bonding formed by AAc-NHS with tissue ensures long-lasting wet adhesion. To realize the anti-adhesion function, one side of the AL was immersed in a solution of [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide (SBMA), which undergoes crosslinking to form the AAL. A comprehensive series of tests have confirmed that the JGP hydrogel exhibits exceptional mechanical properties, efficient and enduring adhesion, excellent biocompatibility, and degradability. Moreover, it possesses remarkable hemostatic properties and robust anti-abdominal adhesion characteristics.

Study of the Improvement of Disintegration Efficiency and Antibacterial Properties of Disposable Toilet Seat Cover Sheet Made of Cellulose Fibers

The growing prevalence of disposable toilet seat covers in public restrooms stems from concerns about personal hygiene, given the direct contact between the seat and various users’ skin. To enable these disposable cover sheets to be flushed down the toilet instead of being discarded in the trash, they must possess specific properties. These include rapid water absorption for quick disintegration, strength to endure user movement or moisture on the toilet seat surface, and a comfortable texture. To address these challenges, the study investigated the disintegration characteristics of flushable cover sheets prepared under different refining conditions. Alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) was also employed to enhance water resistance, while an organic antibacterial agent was used to impart antimicrobial properties. The findings revealed that adding 0.2% AKD and 1% organic antibacterial agent to pulp stock with a freeness of about 650 mL CSF was suitable for manufacturing disposable cover sheets with disintegration characteristics like toilet tissue paper.

Disintegration characteristics and mechanism of red clay improved by steel slag powder

Red clay is prone to softening and disintegration when exposed to water, often triggering severe geological disasters. To enhance its resistance to disintegration, this paper employs a homemade wet-dry cycling disintegration apparatus, combined with XRD, SEM, MIP, and fractal theory, to analyze the effects of different activators on the disintegration characteristics and microscopic mechanisms of SSP-improved soil. Under wet-dry cycling, the disintegration process of SSP-improved soil can be divided into five stages: rapid water absorption, saturation wetting, rapid disintegration, softening and dissolution, and stable non-disintegration. As the activator and SSP content increase, the resistance to disintegration of SSP-improved soil gradually enhances. After the addition of activators, the porosity, pore area, pore length and width, and probability entropy of SSP-improved soil decrease (i.e., 7 % NS < 7 % CSW < 7 % NH < undisturbed soil), while the average shape factor, regional probability distribution index, and fractal dimension increase. This is because activators promote ion exchange, cementation, crystallization, and carbonation reactions in SSP-improved soil, generating a substantial amount of hydration products such as C-S(A)-H, Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3, which fill and encapsulate inter-particle pores, thereby reducing water flow channels within the pores. In contrast, the pore structure between particles in undisturbed soil is simple and well-connected, providing favorable conditions for the migration and dissolution of fine particles and the loss of cementing materials, which accelerates the destruction and disintegration of the soil structure.

Enhanced specific surface area and mechanical property of silk nanofibers aerogel for potential hemostasis applications

Biopolymer aerogel is a new type of material with potential applications in the biomedical field. Silk fibroin is of particular interest as a raw material with good biocompatibility and degradable. However, the low mechanical strength and small specific surface area of silk fibroin aerogels limit its further development. Herein, a fast water absorption, highly specific surface area and mechanically strong of aerogels were prepared using low crystal silk fibroin nanofibers (SNF), sol-gel process, solvent exchange and supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) drying method. The resulting Aero-Sc displayed highly specific surface area (251 m2/g), porosity (97.6 %) and water absorption capacity (1200 %). Furthermore, with rapid water absorption and stronger erythrocyte adhesion, the Aero-Sc showed highly effective hemostasis in vitro. In vivo, animal experiments on rat liver hemorrhage model confirmed that SNF aerogels have a less blood loss (312 ± 29 mg) and faster hemostatic time (92 ± 13 s) than commercially gelatin sponge (p < 0.05). The unique properties of silk fibroin nanofibers aerogel developed in this study has great potential to be a safe and effective hemostatic medical device.

Neutrophil extracellular traps-inspired DNA hydrogel for wound hemostatic adjuvant

Severe traumatic bleeding may lead to extremely high mortality rates, and early intervention to stop bleeding plays as a critical role in saving lives. However, rapid hemostasis in deep non-compressible trauma using a highly water-absorbent hydrogel, combined with strong tissue adhesion and bionic procoagulant mechanism, remains a challenge. In this study, a DNA hydrogel (DNAgel) network composed of natural nucleic acids with rapid water absorption, high swelling and instant tissue adhesion is reported, like a band-aid to physically stop bleeding. The excellent swelling behavior and robust mechanical performance, meanwhile, enable the DNAgel band-aid to fill the defect cavity and exert pressure on the bleeding vessels, thereby achieving compression hemostasis for deep tissue bleeding sites. The neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)-inspired DNAgel network also acts as an artificial DNA scaffold for erythrocytes to adhere and aggregate, and activates platelets, promoting coagulation cascade in a bionic way. The DNAgel achieves lower blood loss than commercial gelatin sponge (GS) in male rat trauma models. In vivo evaluation in a full-thickness skin incision model also demonstrates the ability of DNAgel for promoting wound healing. Overall, the DNAgel band-aid with great hemostatic capacity is a promising candidate for rapid hemostasis and wound healing.

Photothermally responsive graphene hybrid dry powders for diabetic wound healing

The treatment of diabetic wounds remains a significant challenge in the medical field. In this study, we present a novel approach using photothermally responsive graphene hybrid dry powders for the treatment of diabetic wounds. These powders, derived from polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI), exhibit rapid water absorption at the interface, leading to the in situ formation of physically crosslinked hydrogels due to interactions between polymers. Furthermore, by incorporating graphene into the PAA/PEI powder mixture, we establish a multifunctional platform with capabilities such as photothermal antibacterial effects and drug release. Given the outstanding performance of this hybrid material, we demonstrate its potential in wound healing by incorporating the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor Etanercept into the PAA/PEI powder. This intervention resulted in a significant improvement in the wound healing process in diabetic rats, as evidenced by the downregulation of inflammatory factors, promotion of collagen deposition, and enhanced vascularization. These remarkable attributes underscore the enormous potential value of the presented hydrogel patches in the field of biomedicine.

Coal gasification slag for preparation of environmentally friendly superabsorbent composites with rapid water absorption and salt tolerance

It is crucial to design the novel low-cost and salt-tolerant superabsorbent for safeguarding food security and achieving sustainable agriculture. Herein, the porous superabsorbent composites with excellent salt tolerance were fabricated by redox-initiated grafting polymerization using water-based Pickering foam template co-stabilized with solid waste of coal gasification slag and plant particles Sapindus mukorossi pericarp. The stabilization mechanism of Pickering foams, swelling performance and salt-resistance of porous superabsorbent composites were studied in detail. Due to the abundant porous structure and the presence of coal gasification slag, the obtained superabsorbent composites exhibited rapid swelling rate and excellent water absorption capability, and the maximum water absorption in distilled water and 0.9 wt% NaCl solution reached 910 g/g and 126 g/g after 30 min, respectively. As 1.5 wt% the optimal superabsorbent composites was added into the saline-alkali soil, the growth of cabbages was significantly improved, and the plant height and chlorophyll content increased by 45.0% and 12.5%, respectively. This work served as a significant reference for preparing novel environmentally friendly water-saving materials for arid saline-alkali soil improvement.

Tannic acid-crosslinked gelatin composite microspheres adsorbed with CQAS or Ca2+ for rapid hemostasis

In the case of massive blood loss due to natural disasters and wars, timely and rapid hemostasis is of great significance to improve the survival rate of injured people. Nevertheless, uncontrolled, noncompressible, and irregular bleeding wounds remain a giant challenge for rapid hemostasis. In this study, the tannic acid-crosslinked gelatin was first obtained by Michael addition reaction, and then the tannic acid-crosslinked gelatin composite microspheres (TGMs) were prepared by the emulsion cross-linking method. TGMs could significantly improve the water absorption and hemostatic performance compared with single component gelatin microspheres (GMs). Increasing the water absorption ratio and introducing blood coagulation factors into composite materials are simple and effective strategies to enhance the hemostatic properties. Therefore, chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (CQAS) and Ca2+ were electrostatic adsorbed to obtain two kinds of functional TGMs, which were respectively CQAS-absorbed TGMs (T2GMs-CQAS) and calcium ion-absorbed TGMs (T2GMs-Ca2+). Notably, T2GMs-CQAS, and T2GMs-Ca2+ could absorb water rapidly within 3 seconds, in addition, especially the water absorption ratio of T2GMs-CQAS could reach 2.95 times compared with GMs. Benefited from rapid water absorption, coagulation pathway activation, and red blood cells aggregation of T2GMs-CQAS and T2GMs-Ca2+, resulting in rapid blood coagulation in vitro. In addition, CQAS and Ca2+ provided strong and intrinsic antibacterial activity due to positive charge. Moreover, in the tail amputation and liver hemostatic models, T2GMs-CQAS and T2GMs-Ca2+ demonstrated superior hemostatic effects compared to commercial Yunnan Baiyao®. In conclusion, T2GMs-CQAS and T2GMs-Ca2+ have potential applications as hemostatic dressings in uncontrolled, noncompressible, and irregular bleeding wounds.

Effect of weak alkaline electrolyzed water on rice cooking: Promoting rapid water absorption and enhancing the quality and digestibility

Promoting the rapid water absorption of rice is beneficial for increasing the cooking quality and digestibility of rice. Under the action of an electric field, weak alkaline electrolyzed water (WAEW) had a smaller cluster system compared to tap water, with a 17.30% decrease in DDAA-OH (double donor-double acceptor) and a 22.89% increase in Free-OH. Therefore, there were fewer hydrogen bonds formed between water molecules, resulting in more free proton donors and proton acceptors, which increased the possibility of forming more hydrogen bonds with other substances. During the soaking process, WAEW could effectively increase the water absorption rate, maximum water content, and water diffusion rate in different types of rice. As WAEW formed more hydrogen bonds with substances in the rice, it was easier to combine with substances in the rice, forming more bound water. Under the combined effect of the alkaline environment of WAEW and the characteristics of its own water molecules, the surface and internal structure of the rice were eroded, the surface layer was peeled off, and a large number of pore structures were formed. Along with the increased water absorption, more substances such as starch and protein dissolved from the rice. The cooked rice soaked in WAEW had greater sensory quality, higher digestibility and glycemic index. Therefore, WAEW could be used as a new method for cooking rice, promoting the rapid absorption of water and increasing the sensory quality and digestibility.

Fungal Hyphae on the Assimilation Branches Are Beneficial for Haloxylon ammodendron to Absorb Atmospheric Water Vapor: Adapting to an Extreme Drought Environment.

Research on endophytic fungi in desert plants, particularly the epiphytic or endophytic fungi of leaves, remains limited. In the extremely arid regions of northwest China, the ultra-xerophytic desert plant Haloxylon ammodendron harbors white fungi on its assimilating branches during autumn. The hyphae of these fungi intertwine, both internally and externally, comprising superficial, bridging, and endophytic types. The superficial hyphae attach to the surface of the assimilating branches and continuously grow and intersect, forming a thick layer of felt-like hyphae. This thick, felt-like layer of hyphae facilitates the adsorption of atmospheric water vapor on the surface of the hyphae or the assimilating branches, allowing H. ammodendron to capture atmospheric moisture, even under low humidity. Some superficial hyphae penetrate the cuticle into the epidermis, becoming bridging hyphae, which can rapidly transport water from the outside of the epidermis to the inside. The endophytic hyphae shuttle within the epidermis, achieving rapid water transfer within the epidermis of the assimilating branches. The presence of these three types of hyphae not only enables the assimilating branches of H. ammodendron to achieve rapid water absorption and transmission, but also facilitates the uptake of atmospheric water vapor under low humidity conditions. We discuss the mechanism by which the hyphae promote water absorption from the perspectives of hyphal composition, the formation of felt-like structures, and environmental conditions. We consider the presence of fungal hyphae on the surface of the H. ammodendron assimilating branches as an inevitable ecological process in arid environments. This study provides important theoretical insights into the mechanisms underlying the strong drought resistance of desert plants in extremely arid regions and offers strategies for desertification control.

Experimental Study of a Superabsorbent Polymer Hydrogel in an Alkali Environment and Its Effects on the Mechanical and Shrinkage Properties of Cement Mortars.

As internal curing self-healing agents in concrete repair, the basic properties of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), such as water absorption and release properties, are generally affected by several factors, including temperature and humidity solution properties and SAP particle size, which regulate the curing effect and the durability of cementitious composites. This study aimed to investigate the water retention capacities of SAPs in an alkaline environment over extended periods by incorporating liquid sodium silicate (SS) into SAP-water mixtures and examining the influence of temperature. The influence of SAP particle size on mortar's water absorption capacity and mechanical behavior was investigated. Two mixing techniques for SAPs (dry and pre-wetting) were employed to assess the influence of SAP on cement mortars' slump, mechanical properties, and cracking resistance. Four types of SAPs (SAP-a, SAP-b, SAP-c, and SAP-d), based on the molecular chains and particle size, were mixed with SS to study their water absorption over 30 days. The results showed that SAPs exhibit rapid water absorption within the first 30 min, exceeding 85% before reaching a saturation point, and the chemical and temperature variations in the water significantly affected water absorption and desorption. The filtration results revealed that SAP-d exhibited the slowest water release rate, retaining water for considerably longer than the other three types of SAPs. The mechanical properties of SAP mortar were reduced due to the addition of an SAP and the improved cracking resistance of the cement mortars.

PH‐Responsive itaconic acid‐based villous‐like hydrogels for water‐plugging materials

AbstractThe development of new methods to improve the water absorption performance of polymeric materials, taking into account their environmental friendliness, is a promising research direction in Itaconic acid based water‐absorbent polymeric materials. In this study, from the perspective of environmental protection, we propose to design highly absorbent hydrogels with a novel villous‐like structure by using hydrophilic itaconic acid as the raw material and combining it with a novel villous‐like network structure to substantially increase the contact area between the hydrogel and water, thus improving the water absorption rate of the hydrogel. Itaconic acid is water‐soluble and renewable. The widespread use of polymeric water‐absorbent polymers from traditional petroleum sources poses a serious threat to the sustainability of ecosystems, and therefore, itaconic acid has attracted much attention as an alternative to petroleum‐based polymers. The villous‐like network structure is inspired by the villi of the small intestine, the special presence of which expands the absorptive surface area of the small intestine by a factor of about 600, and it is therefore hypothesized that the introduction of this special structure could help the hydrogel to greatly increase the contact area with water and thus achieve the high water absorption properties of the hydrogel. This is also the first time that the villus‐like network structure has been applied to Itaconic acid based hydrogels. The results show that the hydrogel has the property of rapid water absorption and swelling and the water absorption rate of the hydrogel can reach up to 2210 g/g, and the villous‐like structure formed by the hydrogel can be observed in the SEM image. The water‐absorption test of the hydrogel showed that when the molar mass ratio of itaconic acid to acrylic acid was 1:4, the hydrogel absorbed water and swelled rapidly in a short time. The results of the water retention test showed that the hydrogel still existed after 5 days, and the water retention was greater than 86%. In addition, the hydrogel had high reusability, and the water absorption performance of the hydrogel could still reach 89.12% after 6 cycles of the water absorption test. Hydrogel with high water‐absorbing property has good application prospects as fast swelling material in the field of flood control of water conservancy projects.

Understanding Water Diffusion Behaviors in Epoxy Resin through Molecular Simulations and Experiments.

The unclear understanding of the water diffusion behavior posts a big challenge to the manipulation of water absorption properties in epoxy resins. Herein, we investigated the water diffusion behavior and its relationship with molecule structures inside an epoxy resin mainly by the nonequilibrium molecular dynamics and experiments. It is found that at the initial rapid water absorption stage, bound water and free water both contribute, while at the later slow water absorption stage, free water plays a dominant role. The observed evolution of free water and bound water cannot be explained by the traditional Langmuir model. In addition, molecule polarity, free volume, and segment mobility can all influence the water diffusion process. Hence, the epoxy resin with low polarity and high molecular segment mobility is endowed with higher diffusion coefficients. The saturated water absorption content is almost dependent on the polarity. The understanding of how water diffuses and what decides the diffusion process is critical to the rational design of molecule structures for improving the water resistance in epoxy resin.

Increasing service life of concrete in sewage treatment plants using silica fume and natural zeolite

Microbial attacks rapidly degrade concrete structures in wastewater facilities, leading to brief service lifespans. Hence, producing concrete resistant to chemical and sulfuric acid corrosion is more cost-effective. In the present study, a total of six concrete mixtures incorporating 7.5% silica fumes (SF) and 10% natural zeolite (ZE) were immersed in 0.5% and 1% sulfuric acid solutions with a maximum pH threshold of 2 and 1, respectively, for 70 weeks. The specimens were regularly monitored for surface deterioration, mass change and crushing load change. To better understand the relationship between the pore structure of concrete mixtures and resistance to sulfuric acid, various durability tests such as rapid chloride penetration, water absorption, electrical resistivity and chloride diffusion coefficient were performed. Based on the results obtained, converting calcium hydroxide into calcium silicate hydrate gel through pozzolanic reactions and then refining the porosity of concrete with silica fumes (SF) and natural zeolite (ZE) was effective in enhancing the resistance of concrete to attack by sulfuric acid of relatively low concentration. As a result, using silica fumes (SF) and natural zeolite (ZE) is a lower-cost method for reducing corrosion rates to extend the service life of facilities, particularly in lower concentrations.

Thermal and mechanical properties of a sustainable bio-flax fibre-based lightweight aggregate concrete

A novel lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) or lightweight concrete (LWC) is developed using expanded perlite powder and lightweight expanded clay aggregate as a replacement for conventional fine and coarse aggregates, respectively. Furthermore, the natural plant-based flax fibre in treated form was added to the LWC mix at three different volume fractions. The mechanical and thermal characterisation of LWC was carried out using the compressive strength test, split tensile test, modulus of rupture, thermal conductivity and thermal resistance test. Moreover, the microstructural and durability properties were obtained using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectrum analysis, rapid chloride penetration test, sorptivity test and water absorption test. Test results reveal that the addition of 2.0% flax fibre resulted in improved mechanical, thermal and durability properties when compared to LWC with no fibres. Moreover, the microstructural analysis using SEM revealed the formation of ettringite which is responsible for the strength development in the LWAC mix.