Radiation synthesis of eco-friendly water reducing sulfonated starch/acrylic acid hydrogel designed for cement industry

Starch was treated with chlorosulfonic acid to obtain sulfonated starch. Acrylic acid/sulfonated starch semi-interpenetrated network IPN of different compositions was prepared using ionizing radiation. Swelling of prepared IPNs at different environmental conditions was studied. The possible use of sulfonated starch/acrylic acid IPN as a water-retarding agent in the cement industry was investigated. ζ-potential measurements were used to determine the stability of the colloidal cement—SS/AA and cement -poly-naphthalene sulfonic acid (SNF) water retarding mixtures. Sulfonated starch/acrylic acid water-retarding property was influenced by hydrogel concentration and composition. Sulfonated starch/acrylic acid IPN admixture has a great effect on the cement initial setting time. Using 2% of SS/AA or SNF resulted in an increase in initial setting time by 2 and 1 h respectively, if compared with native cement initial setting time. The results showed that the synthetic commercial super-plasticizers could be replaced by an eco-friendly water-retarding sulfonated starch/acrylic acid IPN in the cement industry.

► An, attempt is made to develop a technology that is inherently non-toxic to the environment.
► Sulphonated starch/acrylic acid copolymer was prepared with the aid of radiation technique as a clean tool.
► A possible application, of sulfonated starch/acrylic acid as a water retarder in the cement industry, was investigated.
► The initial setting-time for native cement is much lower than that for cements mixed with the prepared copolymer.