Effect of molecular architecture of polycarboxylate ethers on plasticizing performance in alkali-activated slag paste

Abstract

A range of anionic and cationic polycarboxylate ether (PCE) plasticizers with different molecular architectures (molecular weights, side chain lengths, and ratios of side chain density to backbone charge) are synthesized and tested to determine their effects on the rheological properties of fresh alkali-activated slag (AAS) pastes. A higher density of long side chains in the lower molecular weight polymers can provide a noticeable yield stress reduction, indicating a mild increase in workability compared to that of an unmodified AAS paste. It is hypothesized that side chains may have two important roles, i.e., providing steric hindrance to disperse particles after PCE adsorption on a particl..