Research on synthesis and action mechanism of polycarboxylate superplasticizer

Abstract

The relationship between the structure and performance of polycarboxylate superplasticizer was analyzed. The respective functions of the structure units of the main and branched chains were discussed. The progress of synthesis and molecular structure design and synthesis of polycarboxylate superplasticizer were reviewed according to the difference in the structure unit of the main chain. Results indicated that their performance is related to the structure unit of the main and branched chains, as well as the position and species of functional groups. The polycarboxylate superplasticizer, which had suitable graft and block polymers of polyethylene glycol or polyoxyethylene, and a suitable sulfonic group, had small slump loss besides high water-reducing performance. On the other hand, the hydroxyl group at the end of the chain causes gelation easily. On the basis of the items mentioned above, as well as the source and cost of raw materials, esterification of polyethylene glycol and acrylic acid were first adopted using para-toluene sulfonic acid as catalyst, then polymerized with sodium sulfonate methacrylate. A certain amount of acrylic was added in order to regulate both the polymerization degree of the main chain and the ratio of carboxyl and sulfonic groups in the branched chain. As a result, the high performance superplasticizer has been synthesized (was obtained). The divergence of the cement plasma is about 200 mm when the addition amount of superplasticizer is 0.16%–0.20% of cement weight, and the ratio of the water and cement is 0.29.