Facile synthesis of calcium silicate hydrate using sodium dodecyl sulfate as a surfactant assisted by ultrasonic irradiation

Exploring the Potential of Nonclassical Crystallization Pathways to Advance Cementitious Materials

Understanding the crystallization of cement-binding phases, from basic units to macroscopic structures, can enhance cement performance, reduce clinker use, and lower CO2 emissions in the construction sector. This review examines the crystallization pathways of C-S-H (the main phase in PC cement) and other alternative binding phases, particularly as cement formulations evolve toward increasing SCMs and alternative binders as clinker replacements. We adopt a nonclassical crystallization perspective, which recognizes the existence of critical intermediate steps between ions in solution and the final crystalline phases, such as solute ion associates, dense liquid phases, amorphous intermediates, and nanoparticles. These multistep pathways uncover innovative strategies for controlling the crystallization of binding phases through additive use, potentially leading to highly optimized cement matrices. An outstanding example of additive-controlled crystallization in cementitious materials is the synthetically produced mesocrystalline C-S-H, renowned for its remarkable flexural strength. This highly ordered microstructure, which intercalates soft matter between inorganic and brittle C-S-H, was obtained by controlling the assembly of individual C-S-H subunits. While large-scale production of cementitious materials by a bottom-up self-assembly method is not yet feasible, the fundamental insights into the crystallization mechanism of cement binding phases presented here provide a foundation for developing advanced cement-based materials.

Study on acoustic properties of hydrate-bearing sediments with reconstructed CO2 hydrate in different layers during CH4 hydrate mining

Natural gas hydrate (NGH), a clean energy source with huge reserves in nature, and its safe and efficient exploitation fits perfectly with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-7). However, large-scale NGH decomposition frequently results in subsea landslides, reservoir subsidence, and collapse. In this work, in order to achieve safe and efficient exploitation of NGHs, the stability variation of different reservoir layers by depressurization/intermittent CO2/N2 injection (80:20 mol%, 50:50 mol%) was investigated using acoustic properties (P-wave velocity, elastic modulus), as well as reservoir subsidence under an overburden stress of 10 MPa. The P-wave velocity increased from 1282 m/s to 2778 m/s in the above-reservoir and from 1266 m/s to 2564 m/s in the below-reservoir, significantly increasing reservoir strength after CO2 hydrate formation. The P-wave velocity and elastic modulus in the top reconstructed reservoir were continually decreased by the shear damage of the overlying stress, while they remained stable in the bottom reconstructed reservoir during hydrate mining. However, due to superior pressure-bearing ability of the top CO2 hydrate reservoir, which was lacking in the bottom CO2 hydrate reservoir, the reservoir subsidence was relieved greatly. Despite the stiffness strength of reconstructed reservoir was ensured with CO2/N2 sweeping, the skeletal structure of CH4 hydrate reservoir was destroyed, and only the formation of CO2 hydrate could guarantee the stability of P-wave velocity and elastic modulus which was most beneficial to relieve reservoir subsidence. A large amount of CO2 was used in reservoir reconstruction and CH4 hydrate mining, which achieved the geological storage of CO2 (SDG-13). This work provided a new idea for safe and efficient NGHs mining in the future, and the application of acoustic properties served as a guide for the efficient construction of reconstructed reservoirs and offers credible technical assistance for safe exploitation of NGHs.

Scaling up the fabrication of wafer-scale Ni-MoS2/WS2 nanocomposite moulds using novel intermittent ultrasonic-assisted dual-bath micro-electroforming

In the scale-up fabrication process for electroformed Ni-MoS2/WS2 composite moulds, the formulation of nanosheets is critical, since the size, charge, and their distribution can largely affect the hardness, surface morphology and tribological properties of the moulds. Additionally, the long-term dispersion of hydrophobic MoS2/WS2 nanosheets in a nickel sulphamate solution is problematic. In this work, we studied the effect of ultrasonic power, processing time, surfactant types and concentrations on the properties of nanosheets to elaborate their dispersion mechanism and control their size and surface charge in divalent nickel electrolyte. The formulation of MoS2/WS2 nanosheets was optimized for effective electrodeposition along with nickel ions. A novel strategy of intermittent ultrasonication in the dual bath was proposed to resolve the problem of long-term dispersion, overheating, and deterioration of 2D material deposition under direct ultrasonication. Such strategy was then validated by electroforming 4-inch wafer-scale Ni-MoS2/WS2 nanocomposite moulds. The results indicated that the 2D materials were successfully co-deposited into composite moulds without any defects, along with the mould microhardness increasing by ∼2.8 times, the coefficient of friction reducing by two times against polymer materials, and the tool life increasing up to 8 times. This novel strategy will contribute to the industrial manufacturing of 2D material nanocomposites under ultrasonication process.

Investigation of the structure and compressive strength of a bioceramic root canal sealer reinforced with nanomaterials

OBJECTIVES

A root canal sealer that can increase the resistance of endodontically treated teeth to compressive strength would be of great advantage. The purpose of this study is to use three different nanoparticles: multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), Titanium carbides (TC), and Boron nitrides (BN) into a bioceramic adhesive root canal sealer; BioRoot™ RCS, in an attempt to improve its structural and compressive strength properties.

METHODS

Three composites of two weight fractions (1- and 2-wt.%) were produced by mixing each nanomaterial separately with a pre-weighed mass of Bioroot powder. The microstructural properties and compressive strength of the different hardened composites obtained were investigated. The composites have been characterized by X-ray Diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Compression testing was performed.

RESULTS

The 1-wt.% composites, Bioroot/MWCNTs, and Bioroot/TC, except for the one reinforced with BN, displayed a significant improvement in the compressive strength compared to pristine BioRoot™ RCS. The 2-wt.% composites showed no significant improvement in the compressive strength.

CONCLUSION

The addition of 1-wt.% MWCNTs and TC nanomaterials can be considered in the future for enhancing the microstructure and compressive strength properties of pristine BioRoot™ RCS.

Preliminary Synthesis of Calcium Silicates using Oil Palm Leaves and Eggshells

A new synthetic procedure is described for the synthesis of calcium silicate derivatives, using natural resources such as eggshell (ES) for calcium and oil palm leaves (OPL) for silica, which do not require prepurification. The reaction is performed by directly converting two weight ratio of the precursors, ES:3OPL and ES:6OPL, to dried-powder form by heat treatment at 900 °C for two hours. The results demonstrate that the concentration of the precursors has an effect on the morphology and crystallinity of the calcium silicate derivatives, mainly Ca2SiO4 and CaSiO3. X-ray diffraction results reveal that the reaction product obtained using a 1:3 ratio is quite pure, and mainly consisted of calcium silicate in the form of Ca2SiO4. The CaSiO3 was also identified in ES:6OPL, together with a small amount of excess non-reacted crystalline silica. Furthermore, a scanning electron microscopy analysis shows that both reaction products have a coarse surface. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0). 

Synthesis and characterization of magnetic Fe3O4@CaSiO3 composites and evaluation of their adsorption characteristics for heavy metal ions

A two-component material (Fe₃O₄@CaSiO₃) with an Fe₃O₄ magnetite core and layered porous CaSiO₃ shell from calcium nitrate and sodium silicate was synthesized by precipitation. The structure, morphology, magnetic properties, and composition of the Fe₃O₄@CaSiO₃ composite were characterized in detail, and its adsorption performance, adsorption kinetics, and recyclability for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cr³⁺ adsorption were studied. The Fe₃O₄@CaSiO₃ composite has a 2D core-layer architecture with a cotton-like morphology, specific surface area of 41.56 m²/g, pore size of 16 nm, and pore volume of 0.25 cm³/g. The measured magnetization saturation values of the magnetic composite were 57.1 emu/g. Data of the adsorption of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cr³⁺ by Fe₃O₄@CaSiO₃ fitted the Redlich-Peterson and pseudo-second-order models well, and all adsorption processes reached equilibrium within 150 min. The maximum adsorption capacities of Fe₃O₄@CaSiO₃ toward Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cr³⁺ were 427.10, 391.59, and 371.39 mg/g at an initial concentration of 225 mg/L and a temperature of 293 K according to the fitted curve with the Redlich-Peterson model, respectively. All adsorption were spontaneous endothermic processes featuring an entropy increase, including physisorption, chemisorption, and ion exchange; among these process, chemisorption was the primary mechanism. Fe₃O₄@CaSiO₃ exhibited excellent adsorption, regeneration, and magnetic separation performance, thereby demonstrating its potential applicability to removing heavy metal ions.

Size- and Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Calcium Silicate Particles Enables Self-Assembly and Enhanced Mechanical and Durability Properties

Calcium silicate (CS)-based materials are ubiquitous in diverse industries ranging from cementitious materials to bone tissue engineering and drug delivery. As a symbolic example, concrete is the most widely used synthetic material on the planet. This large consumption entails significant negative environmental footprint, which calls for innovative strategies to develop greener concrete with improved properties (to do more with less). Herein, we focus on the physicochemical properties of novel spherical calcium silicate particles with an extremely narrow size distribution and report their promising potential as fundamental building blocks. We demonstrate a scalable size- and shape-controlled synthesis protocol to yield highly spherical CS submicron particles, leading to favorable aggregation mechanisms and thus self-assembly of the bulk ensemble. This optimized kinetics-controlled synthesis is governed by suitable stoichiometric ratio of calcium over silicon, type and concentration of the surfactant, and molar ratio of the alkaline solution. Our extensive nano/micro/macro-characterization results show that the bulk ensemble exhibits many superior properties, such as improved strength, toughness, ductility, and durability, paving the path for bottom-up science-based engineering of concrete.

Calcium-based biomaterials for diagnosis, treatment, and theranostics

Calcium-based biomaterials with good biosafety and bio-absorbability are promising for biomedical applications such as diagnosis, treatment, and theranostics.

Facile synthesis of novel calcium silicate hydrated-nylon 6/66 nanocomposites by solution mixing method

In this article a facile and green procedure for the synthesis of novel calcium silicate hydrated-nylon 6/66 nanocomposites is proposed. Calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) was synthesized by a hydrolysis technique assisted by ultrasound and using sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) as surfactant. CSH-nylon 6/66 nanocomposites were obtained by a solution mixing method at CSH loadings of 2.5, 25, 50 and 75 weight percent (samples CA, CD, CB and CC, respectively). The synthesis of CSH was confirmed by DRX and ATR-FTIR techniques; the CSH sample presents as mesoporous with a diameter between 3.34 nm and 52.68 nm and an average size of 27.07 nm; the specific surface area of the CSH sample was 343.99 m² g⁻¹. The formation of the CSH-nylon 6/66 nanocomposites was confirmed by ATR-FTIR, SEM, XRD, TGA, DSC and XPS techniques. The crystallization and melting temperatures (T_m and T_c, respectively) of CSH-nylon 6/66 nanocomposites occur at a slightly lower temperatures than those of neat Ny 6/66. These results suggest a slight decrease of the crystallite size and crystallization rate of nylon 6/66. The fusion enthalpy (ΔH_f) decreases with increase in CSH content in nylon 6/66, which can be associated to a good dispersion. The XRD peaks of the nylon 6/66 at 19.99° and 23.77° were displaced at slightly higher values of 2θ with the incorporation of CSH in the polymer forming nanocomposite materials.

In this work it was possible to synthesize novel CSH-nylon 6/66 nanocomposites using a simple and easy methodology such as the solution mixing method and using green solvents like water, formic acid and ethanol.

Silica Foams for Fire Prevention and Firefighting

We report the new development of fire-extinguishing agents employing the latest technology of fighting and preventing fires. The in situ technology of fighting fires and explosions involves using large-scale ultrafast-gelated foams, which possess new properties and unique characteristics, in particular, exceptional thermal stability, mechanical durability, and full biocompatibility. We provide a detailed description of the physicochemical processes of silica foam formation at the molecular level and functional comparison with current fire-extinguishing and fire-fighting agents. The new method allows to produce controllable gelation silica hybrid foams in the range from 2 to 30 s up to 100 Pa·s viscosity. Chemical structure and hierarchical morphology obtained by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images develop thermal insulation capabilities of the foams, reaching a specific heat value of more than 2.5 kJ/(kg·°C). The produced foam consists of organized silica nanoparticles as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis with a narrow particle size distribution of ∼10-20 nm. As a result of fire-extinguishing tests, it is shown that the extinguishing efficiency exhibited by silica-based sol-gel foams is almost 50 times higher than that for ordinary water and 15 times better than that for state-of-the-art firefighting agent aqueous film forming foam. The biodegradation index determined by the time of the induction period was only 3 d, while even for conventional foaming agents this index is several times higher.

Lactic acid as an invaluable green solvent for ultrasound-assisted scalable synthesis of pyrrole derivatives

Lactic acid has been used as a bio-based green solvent to study the ultrasound-assisted scale-up synthesis. We report here, for the first time, on the novel and scalable process for synthesis of pyrrole derivatives in lactic acid solvent under ultrasonic radiation. Eighteen pyrrole derivatives have been synthesized in lactic acid solvent under ultrasonic radiation and characterized by (1)H NMR, IR, ESI MS. The results show, under ultrasonic radiation, lactic acid solvent can overcome the scale-up challenges and exhibited many advantages, such as bio-based origin, shorter reaction time, lower volatility, higher yields, and ease of isolating the products.

Polyelectrolyte-mediated hierarchical mesoporous calcium silicates: a platform for drug delivery carrier with ultrahigh loading capacity and controlled release behavior

Hierarchical drug carrier: a facile method for polymer-assisted controlled synthesis of mesoporous calcium silicate hydrates with a large specific surface area and pore volume was developed.

A comparison in mechanical properties of cermets of calcium silicate with Ti-55Ni and Ti-6Al-4V alloys for hard tissues replacement

This study investigated the impact of calcium silicate (CS) content on composition, compressive mechanical properties, and hardness of CS cermets with Ti-55Ni and Ti-6Al-4V alloys sintered at 1200°C. The powder metallurgy route was exploited to prepare the cermets. New phases of materials of Ni₁₆Ti₆Si₇, CaTiO₃, and Ni₃₁Si₁₂ appeared in cermet of Ti-55Ni with CS and in cermet of Ti-6Al-4V with CS, the new phases Ti₅Si₃, Ti₂O, and CaTiO₃, which were emerged during sintering at different CS content (wt%). The minimum shrinkage and density were observed in both groups of cermets for the 50 and 100 wt% CS content, respectively. The cermets with 40 wt% of CS had minimum compressive Young's modulus. The minimum of compressive strength and strain percentage at maximum load were revealed in cermets with 50 and 40 wt% of CS with Ti-55Ni and Ti-6Al-4V cermets, respectively. The cermets with 80 and 90 wt% of CS showed more plasticity than the pure CS. It concluded that the composition and mechanical properties of sintered cermets of Ti-55Ni and Ti-6Al-4V with CS significantly depend on the CS content in raw cermet materials. Thus, the different mechanical properties of the cermets can be used as potential materials for different hard tissues replacements.

Mechanical and in vitro biological performance of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced calcium silicate composite

Calcium silicate (CaSiO3, CS) ceramic composites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were prepared using hot isostatic pressing (HIP) at 1150°C. Quantitative microstructural analysis suggests that GNP play a role in grain size and is responsible for the improved densification. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that GNP survived the harsh processing conditions of the selected HIP processing parameters. The uniform distribution of 1 wt.% GNP in the CS matrix, high densification and fine CS grain size help to improve the fracture toughness by ∼130%, hardness by ∼30% and brittleness index by ∼40% as compared to the CS matrix without GNP. The toughening mechanisms, such as crack bridging, pull-out, branching and deflection induced by GNP are observed and discussed. The GNP/CS composites exhibit good apatite-forming ability in the simulated body fluid (SBF). Our results indicate that the addition of GNP decreased pH value in SBF. Effect of addition of GNP on early adhesion and proliferation of human osteoblast cells (hFOB) was measured in vitro. The GNP/CS composites showed good biocompatibility and promoted cell viability and cell proliferation. The results indicated that the cell viability and proliferation are affected by time and concentration of GNP in the CS matrix.

In vitro characterization and mechanical properties of β-calcium silicate/POC composite as a bone fixation device

Calcium silicate (CS, CaSiO3 ) is a bioactive, degradable, and biocompatible ceramic and has been considered for its potential in the field of orthopedic surgery. The objective of this study is the fabrication and characterization of the β-CS/poly(1.8-octanediol citrate) (POC) biocomposite, with the goals of controlling its weight loss and improving its biological and mechanical properties. POC is one of the most biocompatible polymers, and it is widely used in biomedical engineering applications. The degradation and bioactivity of the composites were determined by soaking the composites in phosphate-buffered saline and simulated body fluid, respectively. Human osteoblast cells were cultured on the composites to determine their cell proliferation and adhesion. The results illustrated that the flexural and compressive strengths were significantly enhanced by a modification of 40% POC. It was also concluded that the degradation bioactivity and amelioration of cell proliferation increased significantly with an increasing β-CS content.

Mechanical and physical properties of calcium silicate/alumina composite for biomedical engineering applications

The focus of this study is to investigate the effect of Al2O3 on α-calcium silicate (α-CaSiO3) ceramic. α-CaSiO3 was synthesized from CaO and SiO2 using mechanochemical method followed by calcinations at 1000°C. α-CaSiO3 and alumina were grinded using ball mill to create mixtures, containing 0-50w% of Al2O3 loadings. The powders were uniaxially pressed and followed by cold isostatic pressing (CIP) in order to achieve greater uniformity of compaction and to increase the shape capability. Afterward, the compaction was sintered in a resistive element furnace at both 1150°C and 1250°C with a 5h holding time. It was found that alumina reacted with α-CaSiO3 and formed alumina-rich calcium aluminates after sintering. An addition of 15wt% of Al2O3 powder at 1250°C were found to improve the hardness and fracture toughness of the calcium silicate. It was also observed that the average grain sizes of α-CaSiO3 /Al2O3 composite were maintained 500-700nm after sintering process.