Technical University of Munich
Lehrstuhl für Bauchemie (Prof. Gädt)
Lichtenbergstr. 4
85748 Garching b. München
Chemistry for CO2 neutral Gigaton Materials
Our research is focused on the chemistry of large scale structural materials (i.e. construction materials such as concrete). The properties of these materials are determined by the binder phases which are formed via through solution chemical reactions on the job-site. In the case of portland cement, these reactions are called “hydration”.
We study kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of these binder reactions. A key motivation is to lower the carbon intensity of inorganic, mineral binders. Currently, concrete production stands at approx. 30 Gt/a and its binder portland cement is produced on a scale of 4.6 Gt/a. Due to its large scale, cement is responsible for approx. 8% of global CO2 emissions. We search for alternative, low or no CO2 binders.
Additionally, functional polymers strongly influence the properties of both fresh and hardened structural materials. We synthesize functional polymers and use them to change colloidal and mechanical properties of concrete (see research overview).
RSC Advances
Abstract: The radical polymerization of olefinic monomers in solution is an exothermic process. Despite the widespread use of acrylic acid, the pH dependence of its polymerization heat has not been reported. In…
Lecture Notes in Applied and Computational Mechanics
Abstract: The composition of the aqueous phase significantly influences the rheology and hydration of fresh cement paste in the presence of PCE superplasticizer. In addition, the molecular structure of PCE has…
Cement and Concrete Research
Abstract: Novel supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as carbonated cement pastes (cCP) are needed to achieve the sustainability objectives of the cement industry. In this study, cCPs are produced by…
Journal of the American Ceramic Society
Abstract: The hydration process of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) involves intricate interactions among ions in the pore solution, dissolving clinker phases, and precipitating hydrates. Tricalcium aluminate…
Cement and Concrete Research
Abstract: Ettringite forms directly after Portland cement is mixed with water. Polycarboxylate ether-type superplasticizers can stabilize nano-ettringite particles in the pore solution and modify ettringite…
Thermochimica Acta
Abstract: The chemical reactivity of inorganic binders such as Portland cement is frequently studied using isothermal heat flow calorimetry. Most often, water and binder are mixed outside of the calorimeter,…
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
Abstract: Isothermal heat flow calorimetry is a valuable characterization method for cementitious materials. Although the method is very precise, it is mostly employed qualitatively, i.e., by visual comparison…
Materials and Design
Abstract: Additive manufacturing or 3D printing of polymeric materials is facilitated by sharp fluid-to-solid transition mechanisms. In contrast to polymeric materials, controlling the fluid-to-solid transition…
Cement and Concrete Research
Abstract: Functional additives like hydroxy-carboxylic acids modify the hydration mechanism of Portland cement and are commonly used as set retarders. These retarders can affect the clinker phase dissolution…
Cement and Concrete Composites
Abstract: 3D-printing could offer substantial benefits to the construction industry including the fabrication of customized/bespoke components, eliminating formwork, and reducing material waste. Despite these…
| Title | Dates | Duration | Type | Lecturer (assistant) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Chemicals and Materials 2 - Functional Molecules (CH3152a) |
|
2 | VO | |
| Construction Chemicals and Materials 2 - Functional Molecules (CH3152b) |
|
1 | PR | |
| Group Seminar Construction Chemicals |
|
2 | SE | |
| Lab Rotation Construction Chemistry |
|
10 | FO | |
| Lecture Series: TUM Talks Inorganic Symposium |
|
2 | KO | |
| Nano Materials (CH3154a) |
|
2 | VO | |
| Nano Materials (CH3154b) |
|
1 | PR |