Study of Hydraulic Binders: From Mixing to Setting

Dear Colleagues,

Hydraulic binders are complex systems, where chemical equilibria and dissolution/precipitation reactions interplay with multiscale heterogeneity and surface interactions mediated by the interstitial pore solution. From mixing to the onset of setting the binder paste is very much a soft matter, the behavior of which is driven by the self-assembly of the precipitating hydrates and the hydrating particles. This complexity is ever more evident now with the flourishing of studies on new binder systems that attempt to reduce the environmental footprint of the building industry

This Special Issue illustrates the present status of comprehension of cement chemistry as well as of the different alkali-activated materials and binding systems that are being proposed. The goal is to highlight the differences and, above all, to find commonalities, in order to reconduct this highly specialized area into the mainframe of physical chemistry.

Prof. Maurizio Bellotto
Guest Editor

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