Insights into enhancing the reactivity of SiO2 nanoparticles in Ca(OH)2-SiO2 systems

Payam Hosseini; Abbas Albu Shaqraa; Bu Wang

doi:10.1016/j.tca.2026.180453

Insights into enhancing the reactivity of SiO₂ nanoparticles in Ca(OH)₂-SiO₂ systems

Payam Hosseini
, Abbas Albu Shaqraa^*
, Bu Wang

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate (EDTA) on the reactivity of SiO₂ nanoparticles in a Ca(OH)₂–SiO₂ system. In calcium-containing aqueous solutions, SiO₂ nanoparticles tend to coagulate due to calcium ion adsorption, reducing their reactivity in lime-based systems. EDTA was used as a calcium chelator to temporarily reduce free calcium ions during the early mixing stage. Dynamic light scattering, isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and compressive strength tests were conducted to evaluate different EDTA dosages. The results showed that EDTA enhanced the ultimate reactivity of SiO₂ nanoparticles, with the 250 mM EDTA system exhibiting the highest cumulative heat release. Although EDTA reduced the nucleation and growth reaction rate and increased the apparent activation energy, mixtures containing EDTA achieved higher compressive strength than the control system without EDTA. Thermogravimetric analysis further confirmed the calorimetry findings, indicating enhanced nanoparticle consumption and greater reaction product formation overall during curing.

Original language	English
Article number	180453
Journal	Thermochimica Acta
Volume	765
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2026.180453
State	Published - Nov 2026

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

Keywords

Agglomeration
Calcium hydroxide
Compressive strength
EDTA
SiOnanoparticles
Thermal characterization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Instrumentation
Condensed Matter Physics
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Access to Document

10.1016/j.tca.2026.180453

Cite this

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title = "Insights into enhancing the reactivity of SiO2 nanoparticles in Ca(OH)2-SiO2 systems",

abstract = "This study investigates the effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate (EDTA) on the reactivity of SiO2 nanoparticles in a Ca(OH)2{\textendash}SiO2 system. In calcium-containing aqueous solutions, SiO2 nanoparticles tend to coagulate due to calcium ion adsorption, reducing their reactivity in lime-based systems. EDTA was used as a calcium chelator to temporarily reduce free calcium ions during the early mixing stage. Dynamic light scattering, isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and compressive strength tests were conducted to evaluate different EDTA dosages. The results showed that EDTA enhanced the ultimate reactivity of SiO2 nanoparticles, with the 250 mM EDTA system exhibiting the highest cumulative heat release. Although EDTA reduced the nucleation and growth reaction rate and increased the apparent activation energy, mixtures containing EDTA achieved higher compressive strength than the control system without EDTA. Thermogravimetric analysis further confirmed the calorimetry findings, indicating enhanced nanoparticle consumption and greater reaction product formation overall during curing.",

keywords = "Agglomeration, Calcium hydroxide, Compressive strength, EDTA, SiOnanoparticles, Thermal characterization",

author = "Payam Hosseini and Shaqraa, \{Abbas Albu\} and Bu Wang",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.",

year = "2026",

month = nov,

doi = "10.1016/j.tca.2026.180453",

language = "English",

volume = "765",

journal = "Thermochimica Acta",

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T1 - Insights into enhancing the reactivity of SiO2 nanoparticles in Ca(OH)2-SiO2 systems

AU - Hosseini, Payam

AU - Shaqraa, Abbas Albu

AU - Wang, Bu

PY - 2026/11

Y1 - 2026/11

N2 - This study investigates the effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate (EDTA) on the reactivity of SiO2 nanoparticles in a Ca(OH)2–SiO2 system. In calcium-containing aqueous solutions, SiO2 nanoparticles tend to coagulate due to calcium ion adsorption, reducing their reactivity in lime-based systems. EDTA was used as a calcium chelator to temporarily reduce free calcium ions during the early mixing stage. Dynamic light scattering, isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and compressive strength tests were conducted to evaluate different EDTA dosages. The results showed that EDTA enhanced the ultimate reactivity of SiO2 nanoparticles, with the 250 mM EDTA system exhibiting the highest cumulative heat release. Although EDTA reduced the nucleation and growth reaction rate and increased the apparent activation energy, mixtures containing EDTA achieved higher compressive strength than the control system without EDTA. Thermogravimetric analysis further confirmed the calorimetry findings, indicating enhanced nanoparticle consumption and greater reaction product formation overall during curing.

AB - This study investigates the effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate (EDTA) on the reactivity of SiO2 nanoparticles in a Ca(OH)2–SiO2 system. In calcium-containing aqueous solutions, SiO2 nanoparticles tend to coagulate due to calcium ion adsorption, reducing their reactivity in lime-based systems. EDTA was used as a calcium chelator to temporarily reduce free calcium ions during the early mixing stage. Dynamic light scattering, isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and compressive strength tests were conducted to evaluate different EDTA dosages. The results showed that EDTA enhanced the ultimate reactivity of SiO2 nanoparticles, with the 250 mM EDTA system exhibiting the highest cumulative heat release. Although EDTA reduced the nucleation and growth reaction rate and increased the apparent activation energy, mixtures containing EDTA achieved higher compressive strength than the control system without EDTA. Thermogravimetric analysis further confirmed the calorimetry findings, indicating enhanced nanoparticle consumption and greater reaction product formation overall during curing.

KW - Agglomeration

KW - Calcium hydroxide

KW - Compressive strength

KW - EDTA

KW - SiOnanoparticles

KW - Thermal characterization

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