Structure modeling and quantitative X-ray diffraction of C-(A)-S-H

Quantitative X-ray diffraction of nanocrystalline calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and its aluminium-substituted variants (C-A-S-H) has so far been limited by a lack of appropriate structure models. In this study, atomistic structure models derived from tobermorite were combined with a supercell approach using TOPAS. By accounting for nanostructural features such as isolated layers, turbostratic disorder and, for the first time, fibrils, characteristic reflections and asymmetric bands were more accurately simulated than before, providing the means for phase quantification and refinement of structural sites. This improved methodology is applied to autoclaved aerated concrete and the experimental study of related hydrothermal reactions. Scanning electron microscopy indicated a fibrillar morphology for intermediate C-(A)-S-H, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy constrained its Ca/Si ratio to 1.31–1.35. As a first step, the direct quantification of C-(A)-S-H via structure models was assessed by a series of X-ray diffraction measurements using corundum as an internal standard. Secondly, the verified structure model was applied to evaluate in situ X-ray diffraction experiments at 457, 466 and 473 K (1.1, 1.35 and 1.55 MPa, respectively). Finally, a quantitative study of industrially produced autoclaved aerated concrete was conducted, determining 20–30 wt% C-(A)-S-H at Ca/Si ratios < 1.0. In general, the developed structure models advance the study of Portland cement concrete and related materials, including autoclaved aerated concrete, and the supercell approach may be universally applicable to other nanocrystalline materials.