Water Resistance Analysis of Chlorinated Magnesium Oxide Cement Cured by Dual Chelation with Phytic Acid and Citric Acid

Abstract

Magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) holds distinct advantages over ordinary cement in terms of resource consumption and carbon emissions. However, its poor water resistance has consistently hindered the widespread application of this material. We selected citric acid (CA) and phytic acid (PA) as admixtures added to MOC. We evaluated their effects on the setting time, compressive strength, and water resistance of MOC. Results indicate that the incorporation of citric acid and phytic acid significantly retards the setting of MOC while reducing its compressive strength, particularly in the early stages. However, both additives effectively enhance MOC’s water resistance. Compared to MOC containing either phytic acid or citric acid alone, the MOC-CA-PA composite achieved a high water resistance coefficient (0.87). SEM, XRD, and XPS analysis of the MOC-CA-PA composite revealed that citric acid and phytic acid provide additional active sites for Mg²⁺ in MOC, and MOC formed a stable double-chelation network. This enhances the stability of the 5-phase and unreacted MgO particles in MOC under humid conditions, further improving its water resistance. This provides further insights for composite additives to enhance the water resistance of MOC.

Keywords

magnesium oxide cement / double chelating network / water resistance / sustainable cementitious material

References

[1] Deng D HA Study on the Theories and Techniques for Improvimg the Properties of Mgo-based Basic Salt Cements and Their Articles, 2005, Changsha: Central South University[D]

[2] Pang C, Sun W, Leung C K YMethods of Modifying the Brittle Behavior of Cementitious Composites[J]. Journal of Wuhan University of Technology-Mater. Sci. Ed., 2010, 25(1): 156-161.

[3] Zhao H, Xiang Y, Xu W, et al.Effects of Water-cement Ratio and Hydration Heat Regulating Materials on Hydration Process of Early-age Cementitious Materials[J]. Journal of Wuhan University of Technology-Mater. Sci. Ed., 2023, 38(1): 88-96.

[4] Ma C, Chen G, Cao L, et al.Effects and Mechanisms of Waste Gypsum Influencing the Mechanical Properties and Durability of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement[J]. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2022, 339: 130 679.

[5] Wang Q, Huang W, Liang Y, et al.Eco-Sustainable Magnesium Oxychloride Cement Pastes Containing Waste Ammonia Soda Residue and Fly Ash[J]. Materials, 2022, 15(17): 5 941.

[6] Li J, Li G, Yu YThe Influence of Compound Additive on Magnesium Oxychloride Cement/urban Refuse Floor Tile[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2008, 22(4):521-525.

[7] Wang D, Chen ZMechanical Properties and Micro-mechanisms of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement Solidified Sludge[J]. Rock and Soil Mechanics, 2021, 42(01): 77-85, 92

[8] Maier DA ReView of the Environmental Benefits of Using Wood Waste and Magnesium Oxychloride Cement as a Composite Building Material[J]. Materials, 2023, 16(5): 1 944.

[9] Wang J, Wang S, Zuo Y, et al.Construction of Compatible Interface of Straw/magnesium Oxychloride Lightweight Composites by Coupling Agents[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2021, 281122 600.

[10] Cao F, Qiao H, Zhang Y, et al.Early-age Performance and Mechanism of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement Mortar Mixed with Highland Barley Straw Ash[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2023, 401132 979.

[11] Yu HMagnesium Oxychloride Cement and Its Application, 1993, Beijing: China Building Materials Industry Press, 180-417[M]

[12] Wen J, Yu H, Wu C, et al.Hydration Kinetic and Influencing Parameters in Hydration Process of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement[J]. Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society, 2013, 41(05): 588-596

[13] Sun B, Zheng L, Li P, et al.Enhance of Strengthening Phase and Chemical Bonding in Bamboo Scrap/magnesium Oxychloride Composites by Sodium Silicate[J]. Materials Letters, 2022, 308131 275.

[14] Chen X, Zhang T, Bi W, et al.Effect of Tartaric Acid and Phosphoric Acid on the Water Resistance of Magnesium Oxychloride (MOC) Cement[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2019, 213528-536.

[15] Chen X Y, Bi W L, Zhang T T, et al.Modification of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement by Citric Acid[J]. Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society, 2019, 47(07): 884-890

[16] Ye Q, Han Y, Zhou W, et al.Sandcastle Worm-inspired Phytic Acid and Magnesium Oxychloride Cement Copolymerization for Performance Enhancement[J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2021, 404: 123 992.

[17] Ye Q, Han Y, Liu T, et al.Magnesium Oxychloride Cement Reinforced via D-gluconic Acid Sodium Salt for Slow-curing, with Enhanced Compressive Strength and Water Resistance[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2021, 280122 487.

[18] Han Y, Ye Q, Xu Y, et al.Bioinspired Organic–inorganic Hybrid Magnesium Oxychloride Cement via Chitosan and Tartaric Acid[J]. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2020, 8(51): 18 841-18 852.

[19] Fan T B, Hao Y F, Li L X, et al.Water Resistance Modification of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement with H₃pO4/Na₂OÂ ·xSiO₂Â ·nH₂O [J]. Key Engineering Materials, 2019, 814393-398.

[20] Yu J, Liao G S, Chen Y X, et al. Effect of Citric Acid on Hydration Process and Performance of MagnesiuMoxychloride Cement[J]. China Concrete and Cement Products, 2024, (03): 93–98

[21] Nie Y, Wang T, Wu M, et al.Characterization of a High Strength Hydroxyapatite Cement with Dual Chelate â Setting Using Phytic Acid and Citric Acid[J]. International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, 2022, 19(3): 1 498-1 510.

[22] De Castellar M D, Lorente J C, Traveria A, et al.Cracks in Sorel’s Cement Polishing Bricks as a Result of Magnesium Oxychloride Carbonatation[J]. Cement and Concrete Research, 1996, 26(8): 1 199-1 202.

[23] Karimi Y, Monshi AEffect of Magnesium Chloride Concentrations on the Properties of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement for Nano SiC Composite Purposes[J]. Ceramics International, 2011, 37(7): 2 405-2 410.

[24] Guo Y, Zhang Y X, Soe KEffect of Sodium Monofluorophosphate and Phosphates on Mechanical Properties and Water Resistance of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement[J]. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2022, 129104 472.

Rights & permissions

Wuhan University of Technology and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, Part of Springer Nature