RT Journal Article
T1 Bentonite-based LC3 low carbon cement and activation by C-S-H nucleation seeding
A1 Vallina, Diego
A1 Rodríguez-Ruiz, María Dolores
A1 Morales-Cantero, Alejandro
A1 Cuesta, Ana
A1 Santacruz-Cruz, María Isabel
A1 Dalla-Libera, Alessandro
A1 Borralleras, Pere
A1 Dhers, Sébastien
A1 Schwesig, Peter
A1 Mazanec, Oliver
A1 García-Aranda, Miguel Ángel
A1 Gómez-de-la-Torre, María de los  Ángeles
K1 Cemento - Aditivos
K1 Bentonita
K1 Nucleación
AB This study explores the feasibility of using calcined bentonitic clays in LC3-50 binders. Four commercially available bentonite rocks were thermally activated and milled to a Dv,50 of 12 ± 2 μm. Their pozzolanic activities were assessed using the R3 method, yielding total heat released values between 190 and 378 J/g-SCM, exceeding the minimum requirements for supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). The incorporation of superplasticisers (SP) in bentonitic LC3 mortars was optimized, requiring dosages between 0.7 and 1.1 wt% (by the weight of binder) to achieve an initial slump of 200 ± 20 mm, with flow maintained for 1 h in three of them. These results dispel concerns regarding the use of SP in LC3 containing calcined bentonites.Early-age hydration reactions were accelerated using C-S-H nucleation seeding technology, which increased bentonite LC3 mortar compressive strength by 50 % at one day. The compressive mechanical strengths at 28 days of the seeded mortars were also enhanced by 15 %.To elucidate the effects of C-S-H nucleation seeding, LC3 pastes were analysed, confirming the occurrence of pozzolanic reactions at one day of hydration. The portlandite contents, determined by Rietveld quantitative phase analysis and thermal analysis, were lower than expected based on the alite hydration degree at the analysed times. Furthermore, the strength enhancing admixture systematically increased the formation of AFm-type phases, such as hemicarboaluminate, and refined the pore microstructure at one day of hydration.
PB Elsevier
SN 0958-9465
YR 2025
FD 2025-03-31
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/38529
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/38529
LA eng
NO Vallina, D., Rodríguez-Ruiz, M. D., Morales-Cantero, A., Cuesta, A., Santacruz, I., Dalla-Libera, A., Borralleras, P., Dhers, S., Schwesig, P., Mazanec, O., Aranda, M. A. G., & de la Torre, A. G. (2025). Bentonite-based LC3 low carbon cement and activation by C-S-H nucleation seeding. Cement and Concrete Composites, 160, 106073.
NO Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 20 ene 2026