Microstructure and hydration of PB-g-PSG latex modified cement mortars

The PB-g-PSG latex was synthesized by semicontinueous emulsion grafting polymerization, and the weight ratios of polybutadiene to styrene ranged from 50/50/0, 50/49/1 to 50/46/4. PB-g-PSG latex was used to modify cement mortar in the constant water-cement ratio of 0.4. This study examines the effects of GMA content and the polymer-cement ratios on the cement hydration by FTIR and DSC, the analysis results showed that the cement hydration increased with increasing GMA content and decreasing P/C. Polymer modified mortar microstructure was studied by SEM. The microstructure analysis showed that the mortar constituents of polymer-modified cement mortars are tightly joined, and the hexagonal sheet crystal structure of Ca(OH)₂ was seen. The modified mortar structure is compact, and the amount of Ca(OH)₂ is fewer with increasing GMA content. Overview on, GMA occurred chelating action with Ca(OH)₂, and resulting in removing structure of mortars.