Effect of Nano-TiO2 Addition on the Hydration and Hardening Process of Sulphoaluminate Cement

The influences of nano-TiO2 on the setting time, hydration process, hydration products and morphology of sulphoaluminate cement were studied by Vicat apparatus, isothermal calorimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental results show that the incorporation of nano-TiO2 can obviously promote the setting and hardening process of sulphoaluminate cement, and shorten the interval between the initial and final setting time, the hydration induction period of sulphoaluminate cement is significantly shortened and the acceleration period begins immediately, but the hydration exothermic rate at hydration stationary phase is not obviously impacted. The nano-TiO2 additives have influence on the formation rate and degree of crystallinity, but do not affect the type of hydration process. The structure of hydration products is compact at middle age, but their content and microstructure do not change.