Series Of Binders Research Articles

Fresh and hardened properties for a wide range of geopolymer binders – An optimization process

The objective of this study was to identify the optimal geopolymer binder compositions produced from local industrial by-products and compare them with commercially available materials. The first part investigated the optimal binder composition by studying 27 mixtures. In this part of the research, three series of binders were created: the first series of 18 mixtures was Na-based fly ash-slag, the second series consisted of 8 mixtures of K-based fly ash-slag, and the third series were a mixture of metakaolin-slag based geopolymer. The compressive strengths of the mixtures at the age of seven days ranged from 2.18 to 96.23 MPa. The strength development is clearly defined by the components and proportions of the blends. Geopolymers reach about 80% of their 28-day strength in seven days. The 25% water content was optimal for slag-fly ash geopolymers. The strength of the material increased from 68.08 to 96.23 MPa when the Blaine surface area of the slag increased from 3500 to 4500 cm2/g. The optimal proportions of the alkali solution were the intermediate ratios: SiO2/Na2O = 2.0 and SiO2/K2O = 1.5. In the case where Visonta fly ash is prepared for blending, the fly ash content can be maximized by 30%–50% in addition to the blast-furnace slag. In the second part of the research, mortars were prepared from the selected binders: 4 mixtures were prepared with two different binders. In one of these mortars, the solid part of the binder consisted of local raw materials originating from Hungary. This mixture was prepared with 43 m% fine aggregates. The optimal composition of the tested 27 binders tested was selected as the geopolymer matrix for the production of three further mortar mixtures. In these geopolymer mortars, 55, 65, and 75 m% of aggregate applied. The flowtable values of fresh mortars decreased when the proportion of sand increased. The lower the additive content was, the higher the strength of the geopolymer mortar. The 28-day compressive strengths of filtered fly ash-slag mortar sample with 55%, 65%, and 75% of fine aggregate (F–S-a55, F–S-a65, and F–S-a75) made with the selected optimised filtered fly ash-slag geopolymer binder of group A-I.3 (F–S-A-I.3) varied between 11.39 and 40.15 MPa, whereas the Visont fly ash-slag mortar sample with 43% of fine aggregate (V–S-a43) has been 25.05 MPa. For 28 days, the density ranged between 1870 and 2204 kg/m3. The V–S-a43 is found to be the lowest-density blend. The chloride migration test revealed that geopolymer mortars with higher slag content have higher resistance to Cl− ions.

3D Printing Soft Magnet: Binder Study for Vat Photopolymerization of Ferrosilicon Magnetic Composites.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) masking is a 3D printing technique that can produce soft magnetic composite parts to high resolution and complexity for robotics and energy electronics applications. This additive manufacturing technique has the potential to produce larger, lighter-weight, more efficient, and more durable parts for automotive and mechanical applications. This study conducted a binder study to create a low-viscosity and stiff binder capable of loading at least 60 v/v% Fe-6.5 wt%Si particles. Percolation Theory was applied to anticipate the magnetic interaction of suspended particles. A series of binders were formulated, with adjustments to diluent ratios. The behavior of the binders was assessed by studying their rheological properties, conversion rates, and mechanical properties. A post-cure study was conducted across various energy settings using UV, thermal, and a combination of both energy sources to find the combination that provided the best mechanical properties. As a result, 64 v/v% Fe-6.5 wt%Si loading was achieved and cured using UV light of 405 nm wavelength. Vibrating Sample Spectroscopy (VSM) was used to characterize the composite's magnetic behavior, and a significant increase in saturation magnetization and negligible change in coercivity was observed when the added load exceeded the percolation threshold.

Microscopic insight into the shaping of MOFs and its impact on CO2 capture performance.

The traditional synthesis method produces microcrystalline powdered MOFs, which prevents direct implementation in real-world applications which demand strict control of shape, morphology and physical properties. Therefore, shaping of MOFs via the use of binders is of paramount interest for their practical use in gas adsorption/separation, catalysis, sensors, etc. However, so far, the binders have been mostly selected by trial-and-error without anticipating the adhesion between the MOF and binder components to ensure the processability of homogeneous and mechanically stable shaped MOFs and the impact of the shaping on the intrinsic properties of the MOFs has been overlooked. Herein, we deliver a first systematic multiscale computational exploration of MOF/binder composites by selecting CALF-20, a prototypical MOF for real application in the field of CO2 capture, and a series of binders that cover a rather broad spectrum of properties in terms of rigidity/flexibility, porosity, and chemical functionality. The adhesion between the two components and hence the effectiveness of the shaping as well as the impact of the overall porosity of the CALF-20/binder on the CO2/N2 selectivity, CO2 sorption capacity and kinetics was analyzed. Shaping of CALF-20 by carboxymethyl cellulose was predicted to enable a fair compromise between excellent adhesion between the two components, whilst maintaining high CO2/N2 selectivity, large CO2 uptake and CO2 transport as fast as in the CALF-20. This multiscale computational tool paves the way towards the selection of an appropriate binder to achieve an optimum shaping of a given MOF in terms of processability whilst maintaining its high level of performance.

Modulated differential scanning calorimetry study of wax-doped asphalt binders

In order to better understand how wax constituents affect thermoreversible aging phenomena, three kinds of n-alkanes were doped into a base asphalt binder. Modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) analysis was performed on a series of binders containing increasing wax contents. It was discovered that the addition of n-alkanes not only changes the non-reversible thermal signal but also the reversible one. For asphalt doped with n-C20, the thermal behavior shows significant time-dependent behavior, while those doped with n-C32 and n-C40 do not. The size of both endothermic peaks in the total heat flow and non-reversible heat flow curves decreases with oxidation of wax-doped asphalt binders. The appearance of crystallizable fractions in wax-doped asphalt binders with varying thermal history can be modeled in both isothermal Avrami and non-isothermal Ozawa theoretical frameworks. A possible mechanism for the thermoreversible aging phenomenon has been proposed but it will need further work for validation and refinement.

Microstructural evolution in sulfate solutions of alkali-activated binders synthesized at various calcium contents

Alkali-activated binders based on metakaolin, fly ash and slag without curing were exposed directly in air, Na2SO4 and MgSO4 solutions for studying the evolution in mechanical strength and microstructure. A series of binders were synthesized and characterized on 7, 21, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days, respectively. Compressive strength measurement, scanning electron microscope (SEM) mapping, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and unclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were applied in the study. It is found that the exposure in sulfate solutions leaded to the deterioration of the binders by the dissolution of alkalis. In Na2SO4 solution, a higher percentage of zeolite was formed in the binders. While in MgSO4, a precipitate layer (e.g., brucite and gypsum), forming on the binder surface plays an important role in protecting the formation of gel, promoting the compressive strength improvement of alkali-activated slag, and compensating the decrease in compressive strength of alkali-activated metakaolin. These results provide clues for the direct preparation of alkali-activated concrete in aggressive sulfate environment.

Replacing fly ash with limestone dust in hybrid cements

This study explored the effect of adding 10% of finely ground limestone dust to alkaline hybrid cements. A series of binders was prepared with 20–30% OPC (CEM I 52.5R) and fly ash in the presence or absence of a chemical activator (5% Na2SO4). The rate of heat release was determined by isothermal conduction calorimetry. Setting times and 3 d, 28 d and 90 d compressive strength were likewise found. The reaction products were characterised by XRD, DTA/TG and BSEM/EDX. The inclusion of 10% of limestone in the hybrid cements to replace the fly ash improved compressive strength and hastened hydration. The 28 d pastes containing 30% OPC, 10% limestone, 55% FA and 5% Na2SO4 developed compressive strength above 45 MPa.

Enhanced Performance and Safety in Intermediate Temperature Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Due to the high theoretical capacity and energy density, lithium-sulfur is considered one of the most promising battery chemistries. Difficulties with passivation and polysulfide shuttle have traditionally plagued the lithium anode and sulfur cathode, respectively, in conventional liquid electrolyte batteries. Solid-state electrolytes, such as lithium garnets, can largely address these issues as the dense ceramic layer helps block polysulfide shuttle and are stable to metallic lithium. However, poor electron transfer kinetics resulting from high electronic resistance and large volumetric changes of sulfur limit the development of solid-state Li-S batteries. At intermediate temperatures, the diffusivity of sulfur is thermally activated, facilitating electron transfer. Here we mimic encapsulated sulfur through infiltration of sulfur, carbon, and a series of binders into one side of a porous-dense-porous garnet structure. The garnet provides ionic conduction through the cell while helping to entrap sulfur with aid of binder. Cell cycling was performed to determine the effect of binder on specific capacity and capacity fade. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to elucidate the changes occurring within the cathode. While the pore size is larger than what is used for most encapsulated sulfur cathodes, thermal activation allows certain binder systems enhanced performance. In addition to conductive benefits, this large-scale enclosure of sulfur helps avoid corrosion issues possible with sulfur at elevated temperature.

Abstract 5084: Potent and isoform-selective ATAD2 bromodomain inhibitor with unprecedented chemical structure and mode of action

Abstract ATAD2 (ATPase family AAA-domain containing protein 2, also called ANCCA) is an epigenetic regulator that binds to chromatin through its bromodomain (BD), a motif specialized for acetyl-lysine recognition. ATAD2 directly associates with multiple transcription factors such as ERα, AR, E2F, and Myc; hence, ATAD2 has been proposed to act as a co-factor for oncogenic transcription factors. Furthermore, we have recently reported a novel role for ATAD2 during DNA replication, uncovering interactions between ATAD2 and histone acetylation marks on newly synthesized histone H4. High expression of ATAD2 strongly correlates with poor patient prognosis in multiple tumor types, including gastric, endometrial, hepatocellular, ovarian, breast and lung cancers. However, the exact function of ATAD2 in these tumor types remains unclear. A more thorough validation of ATAD2 as a therapeutic target is hampered by the lack of isoform-selective, potent and cellularly active ATAD2 inhibitors. A systematic assessment of crystal structures of BD-containing protein family predicted that development of selective inhibitors of ATAD2 would be challenging. In line with this prediction, only limited progress in developing lead compounds targeting ATAD2 has been reported so far. A few notable exceptions relied on fragments as starting points, however, their weak potency, insufficient selectivity against other BDs, permeability limitations or modest cellular activity have curbed their further development towards drug candidates. Here we embarked on a novel strategy to identify ATAD2 inhibitors: 11 different DNA-encoded libraries adding up to 67 billion unique encoded compounds were combined and incubated with ATAD2 BD followed by two rounds of affinity-mediated selection. This approach provided with several series of binders, for which specific target engagement of their SMOL moiety upon off-DNA synthesis was confirmed in biochemical and biophysical assays. Several rounds of potency optimization led to the identification of BAY-850, a highly potent and ATAD2 (isoform A) mono-selective inhibitor, which holds an amine substituted 3-(2-furyl)benzamide core. This compound shows - as revealed by size exclusion chromatography and native mass spectrometry - a novel mode of action for a BD inhibitor based on specific target dimerization. In a cellular fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assay BAY-850 displaced wild-type ATAD2 from the chromatin to the same extent as the genetic mutagenesis of ATAD2 BD. In contrast, chemically very similar inactive control compounds showed no major effects on ATAD2 association with the chromatin. These results qualify BAY-850 as the first biologically active ATAD2 isoform A-specific chemical probe, which will enable further elucidation of the cancer biology of this intriguing protein. Citation Format: Amaury E. Fernández-Montalván, Markus Berger, Benno Kuropka, Seong Joo Koo, Volker Badock, Joerg Weiske, Simon J. Holton, Apirat Chaikuad, Laura Díaz-Sáez, James Bennett, Oleg Federov, Kilian Huber, Paolo Centrella, Matthew A. Clark, Christoph E. Dumelin, Eric A. Sigel, Holly S. Soutter, Dawn M. Troast, Ying Zhang, John W. Cuozzo, Anthony D. Keefe, Didier Roche, Vincent Rodeschini, Jan Hübner, Hilmar Weinmann, Ingo V. Hartung, Matyas Gorjanacz. Potent and isoform-selective ATAD2 bromodomain inhibitor with unprecedented chemical structure and mode of action [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5084. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5084

CathARTic: A journey into arts-based educational research

Abstract During my graduate studies, I was encouraged by professors to do traditional forms of enquiry instead of exploring Arts-based Educational Research (ABER). As well, I found most people outside academia had heard the term ‘doctorate’ but few understood it. After completing my doctoral studies at the University of Glasgow, I created cathARTic (2012) as a way to explore ABER and share the personal and professional layers of that academic journey. It is a mixed-media work consisting of 216 scrapbook pages that may be displayed as a tapestry or in a series of binders. It is organized chronologically and built from my printed dissertation, research notes, journal entries, photographs and ephemera collected during my doctoral studies. This visual essay includes images of the work’s creation and related text, in an effort to show how I used Barone and Eisner’s seven features of ABER as a conceptual and logistical framework.

Toward Efficient Binders for Li-Ion Battery Si-Based Anodes: Polyacrylic Acid

Si-based Li-ion battery anodes offer specific capacity an order of magnitude beyond that of conventional graphite. However, the formation of stable Si anodes is a challenge because of significant volume changes occurring during their electrochemical alloying and dealloying with Li. Binder selection and optimization may allow significant improvements in the stability of Si-based anodes. Most studies of Si anodes have involved the use of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) binders. Herein, we show for the first time that pure poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), possessing certain mechanical properties comparable to those of CMC but containing a higher concentration of carboxylic functional groups, may offer superior performance as a binder for Si anodes. We further show the positive impact of carbon coating on the stability of the anode. The carbon-coated Si nanopowder anodes, tested between 0.01 and 1 V vs Li/Li+ and containing as little as 15 wt % of PAA, showed excellent stability during the first hundred cycles. The results obtained open new avenues to explore a novel series of binders from the polyvinyl acids (PVA) family.