Changes in C3S hydration in the presence of cellulose ethers

The influence of cellulose ethers (CE) on C3S hydration processes was examined in order to improve our knowledge of the retarding effect of cellulose ethers on the cement hydration kinetics. In this frame, the impacts of various cellulose ethers on C3S dissolution, C-S-H nucleation-growth process and portlandite precipitation were investigated. A weak influence of cellulose ethers on the dissolution kinetics of pure C3S phase was observed. In contrast, a significant decrease of the initial amount of C-S-H nuclei and a strong modification of the growth rate of C-S-H were noticed. A slowing down of the portlandite precipitation was also demonstrated in the case of both cement and C3S hydration. CE adsorption behavior clearly highlighted a chemical structure dependence as well as a cement phase dependence. Finally, we supported the conclusion that CE adsorption is doubtless responsible for the various retarding effect observed as a function of CE types.