The effect of nano SiO2 and spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst on cement hydration and physical mechanical properties

Abstract

This paper describes research on the synergistic effect of nano–SiO2 (NS) and spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst (FCCCw) in cement pastes’ pozzolanicity. Binary and ternary blended cement pastes containing 0.02% of NS and 5–20% of FCCCw were investigated. Hydration at early age followed using semi-adiabatic calorimetry. The macroscale properties were assessed by measuring density, ultrasonic pulse velocity and compressive strength. The microstructures were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The results are consistent among the different techniques and materials’ levels and show that a small NS content promotes a marked synergistic enhancement of the pozzolanic reaction.