Comb polymer with ionic side chains as a novel dispersant for cement slurries: Synthesis, characterization and working mechanism

A novel dispersant with ionic side chains (ISC-PCE) for cement slurries was elaborately designed and prepared by a simple two-step method and its molecular structure was proved. The performance test results showed that the cement paste containing ISC-PCE exhibited stronger fluidity retention (about 79.6 % after 3 h), longer free settling time (more than 3 h) and fewer flocculating structures, which presented significant dispersing stability. Furthermore, the working mechanism of ISC-PCE to cement particles was also probed via molecular conformation, adsorption, complexation ability, zeta potential and adsorbed layer measurements. It is interesting that the introduction of ionic side chains into conventional dispersant-polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE) molecules can achieve gentle and continuous adsorption and increase the adsorbed layer thickness (increased by 103.1 % compared to conventional PCE). The aim of this study is to offer a promising pathway to synthesize a novel PCE endowing outstanding workability stability and great rheological improvements to cement pastes by innovative molecular design. This PCE with ionic side chains has enormous promises as an effective substitute to conventional PCE with nonionic side chains, particularly in the cement paste systems with strict requirements on slump retention.