Effect of Mg on xonotlite structure and stability

Mingione S, Jansen D, Winnefeld F, Churakov SV, Lothenbach B (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Cement and Concrete Research Elsevier

Book Volume: 197

Article Number: 107970

DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2025.107970

Abstract

Minor constituents such as clays or dolomite might be present in the raw materials used for the synthesis of xonotlite (Ca6Si6O17(OH)2). These impurities can introduce additional elements (e.g., Mg, Al, Fe) into the system, affecting the purity of xonotlite, or promoting the formation of secondary phases. This study focuses on the influence of MgO on the formation and stability of xonotlite. A combination of solubility experiments conducted at 7, 20, 50 and 80 °C, along with thermodynamic modelling and atomistic simulations, was employed to investigate Mg incorporation. Structural and phase characterization was performed using XRD, TGA, FT-IR, SEM and 29Si MAS-NMR. Up to 13 mol% of Mg can be incorporated into the xonotlite structure and the derived thermodynamic properties indicate that this leads to a stabilization of xonotlite. Higher quantities of magnesium lead to a stabilization of other phases such brucite, which may compete with xonotlite crystallization.

Authors with CRIS profile

Daniel Jansen Lehrstuhl für Mineralogie

Involved external institutions

Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt (Empa) / Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology CH Switzerland (CH) Universität Bern CH Switzerland (CH)

How to cite

APA:

Mingione, S., Jansen, D., Winnefeld, F., Churakov, S.V., & Lothenbach, B. (2025). Effect of Mg on xonotlite structure and stability. Cement and Concrete Research, 197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2025.107970

MLA:

Mingione, S., et al. "Effect of Mg on xonotlite structure and stability." Cement and Concrete Research 197 (2025).

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