Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42738060›Full record

ArticleMaterials (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Evolution of Hydration Gel Phases and Microstructure in Alkali-Activated Binders with Varied Calcium Contents.

Qiang Zhang, Qing Wang, Zhaoyang Ding, Tianru Li, Mingyu Zhao

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Materials (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Qiang ZhangSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China.ORCID 0009-0008-1341-6781
Qing WangSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China.
Zhaoyang DingSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China.ORCID 0000-0002-2051-7547
Tianru LiSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China.
Mingyu ZhaoSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China.

Funding

Educational Department of Liaoning Province JYTQN2023399Educational Department of Liaoning Province LJ212510153040National Natural Science Foundation of China 52508298National Natural Science Foundation of China U24A2048
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Alkali-activated binders (AABs) represent eco-friendly alternatives to ordinary Portland cement. Nevertheless, the synergistic influences of calcium dosage and aluminosilicate stoichiometry on phase assemblage, gel nanostructure, and mechanical properties have not been fully elucidated. Herein, AAB samples with graded CaO contents were fabricated, and the co-regulatory mechanisms of CaO dosage and Si/Al molar ratio on compressive strength and microstructural evolution were systematically explored through compressive strength tests, XRD, TG-DTG, FTIR, and SEM-EDS. In addition, pure reference C-S-H and N-A-S-H gels were synthesized by using the sol-gel method for comparison with AAB pastes. The results reveal that CaO dosage acts as the primary parameter dictating gel phase transition and strength level, categorizing the prepared AABs into three distinct zones: low-calcium region (CaO < 10 wt.%), medium-calcium region (10-20 wt.%), and high-calcium region (CaO > 20 wt.%). Combined grey relational and partial correlation analyses clarify the collinearity-induced false correlations and reveal the stage-dependent independent effects of oxide molar ratios on AABs' compressive strength. Low-calcium AAB matrices are dominated by N-A-S-H gel networks coexisting with abundant low-strength zeolite crystals, which deteriorate thermal stability and retard strength gain. Increasing CaO content triggers a progressive phase transformation from N-A-S-H gel to high-strength C-(A)-S-H gel. Abundant Ca-rich chabazite and C-S-H gel form in high-calcium systems, which fill internal pores and microcracks and greatly enhance matrix densification and thermal resistance. This work clarifies the multiscale regulatory mechanism of calcium species over gel polycondensation, crystalline phase development, and mechanical performance of AABs, offering fundamental theoretical guidance for the customized design and property optimization of high-strength alkali-activated binders.

Indexed as

alkali-activated bindersCaO gradientC-(A)-S-H gelmicrostructural evolutionN-A-S-H gelsol–gel synthesis

Identifiers

PMID42738060
PMCPMC13566892

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