Investigation of hydration phases in the system CaO–SiO2-P2O5-H2O

Abstract

Hydration reactions and their rates have been studied qualitatively in CaO-and P2O5-rich compositional regions of the system CaO–SiO2-P2O5-H2O. Using aqueous solutions of Ca (NO3)2–4H2O, Ludox, and H3PO4 as starting materials, amorphous powders made by the sol-gel process were reacted with water. Some “curing” reactions were carried out at several temperatures: room temperature, 90 °C, and under hydrothermal conditions. Some glasses in the phosphate-rich region of the system were also made and hydrated. The hydration products are OH–Ap [OH–Ap = Ca10(PO4)6-(OH)2], Ca(OH)2 [CH = Ca(OH)2],C–S–H crystalline, C–S–P–H (C = CaO,S = SiO2,P = P2O5,H = H2O) crystalline, C–S–H gel, C–S–P–H gel, Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O, and CaHPO4. All phases have been identified and characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX). The reactivities of the precursor materials and the compositional-structural nature of the hydration products formed are discussed. Some new compositions for “cementlike behavior” have been discovered.