CLC number:
On-line Access: 2025-03-31
Received: 2024-01-12
Revision Accepted: 2024-05-08
Crosschecked: 2025-03-31
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Citations: Bibtex RefMan EndNote GB/T7714
Dongming YAN, Yilu QIU, Rongfeng GAO, Shikun CHEN, Yi LIU, Shengqian RUAN. Evolution of waterproof performance, mechanical properties, and microstructure in hydrophobically-modified geopolymer concrete during dry-wet cycles[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science A, 2025, 26(3): 194-211.
@article{title="Evolution of waterproof performance, mechanical properties, and microstructure in hydrophobically-modified geopolymer concrete during dry-wet cycles",
author="Dongming YAN, Yilu QIU, Rongfeng GAO, Shikun CHEN, Yi LIU, Shengqian RUAN",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science A",
volume="26",
number="3",
pages="194-211",
year="2025",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="10.1631/jzus.A2400020"
}
%0 Journal Article
%T Evolution of waterproof performance, mechanical properties, and microstructure in hydrophobically-modified geopolymer concrete during dry-wet cycles
%A Dongming YAN
%A Yilu QIU
%A Rongfeng GAO
%A Shikun CHEN
%A Yi LIU
%A Shengqian RUAN
%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE A
%V 26
%N 3
%P 194-211
%@ 1673-565X
%D 2025
%I Zhejiang University Press & Springer
%DOI 10.1631/jzus.A2400020
TY - JOUR
T1 - Evolution of waterproof performance, mechanical properties, and microstructure in hydrophobically-modified geopolymer concrete during dry-wet cycles
A1 - Dongming YAN
A1 - Yilu QIU
A1 - Rongfeng GAO
A1 - Shikun CHEN
A1 - Yi LIU
A1 - Shengqian RUAN
J0 - Journal of Zhejiang University Science A
VL - 26
IS - 3
SP - 194
EP - 211
%@ 1673-565X
Y1 - 2025
PB - Zhejiang University Press & Springer
ER -
DOI - 10.1631/jzus.A2400020
Abstract: The waterproof performance, mechanical properties, chemical composition, microstructure, and pore structure of hydrophobically-modified geopolymer concrete are investigated before and after dry-wet cycles, to determine the long-term feasibility of using hydrophobically-modified geopolymer concrete in wet environments. We use two types of organic modifying agents: polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and sodium methyl siliconate (SMS). The experimental results show that incorporating 2%–6% PDMS or 5%–15% SMS can make the concrete hydrophobic, with water absorption and chloride transport rates decreasing by up to 94.3%. We also analyze the bonding modes of organic molecules and geopolymer gels, as well as their evolution mechanisms during dry-wet cycles. PDMS-modified geopolymer concrete is found to exhibit long-term waterproof performance that is not weakened by dry-wet cycles. This is attributed to the robust combination of organic components and the geopolymer gel skeleton formed through phase cross-linking. Meanwhile, PDMS-modified geopolymer concrete’s hydrophobicity, strength, and microstructure are essentially unaffected. In contrast, SMS-modified geopolymer concrete shows higher water sensitivity, although it does maintain efficient waterproof performance. Due to relatively low binding energy, the dry-wet cycles may lead to the detachment of some SMS molecules from the gel network, which results in a decrease of 18.6% in compressive strength and an increase of 37.6% in total porosity. This work confirms the utility of hydrophobically-modified geopolymer concrete as a building material for long-term service in wet environments, for instance, areas with frequent precipitation, or splash and tidal zones.
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