Effect of bentonite on the stability of fresh cement slurry

Motivated by understanding the stability-enhanced mechanism of bentonite on cement-based materials for promoting its application as a low-cost viscosity modifying admixture (VMA), binary bentonite-water and ternary cement-bentonite-water systems were prepared by a simple way in this article, then the interaction between cement slurry and (Li+, Na+, Ca2+) bentonite was analyzed by chemical analysis, XRD, XRF, XPS, and SEM. The results indicated that the interlayer ions of bentonite paly as important roles in improving the stability of fresh cement slurry, and the related performance of Ca2+ bentonite can be improved by introducing Li+; When cement/(Li+, Na+, Ca2+) bentonite systems were separated from water and dried, respectively, all bentonites almost returned to their original ordered structures and tended to form Ca2+ bentonite; and the effect of bentonite on the stability of cement slurry and its influencing mechanism were proposed.

Automated summary

Binary bentonite-water and ternary cement-bentonite-water systems were prepared to enhance the stability of fresh cement slurry for promoting bentonite as a low-cost viscosity modifying admixture. The interlayer ions of bentonite played crucial roles in improving the stability of cement slurry, and the performance of Ca2+ bentonite can be enhanced by introducing Li+. The effect of bentonite on the stability of cement slurry and its influencing mechanism were proposed based on the experimental results.