Abstract:
The principal product of cement hydration is calcium silicate hydrate,
an amorphous binding phase that plays a central role in the mechanical
performance of concrete. Its poorly ordered structure makes it
challenging to characterize with conventional diffraction-based
techniques. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy offers a powerful and
complementary approach, as it probes the local environments of
individual nuclei and is therefore suited for studying materials
regardless of their degree of crystallinity.
The presentation will provide an application-focused overview of how
solid-state NMR can be used to assess the structural changes in
cementitious materials exposed to chemically aggressive conditions,
particularly in environments rich in sulfate and chloride ions.