Enhancing the Stability of Asphalt Emulsion Using Environmentally Friendly Cationically Modified Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (CMHEC) at Different Concentrations and pH Values

Abstract

The cationically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (CMHEC) was synthesized successfully and applied for preparing the cationic asphalt emulsion. The apparent viscosity and phase separation of the emulsion were studied at different CMHEC concentrations and pH values. The results indicated that the apparent viscosity of the emulsion was increased with increasing CMHEC concentration, and the phase separation was significantly reduced correspondingly. In addition, the effect of pH value on the emulsion quality was involved. The apparent viscosity of the emulsion showed the tendency to decrease firstly and then increase to the minimum value at pH 2. All results indicated that CMHEC has excellent potential in the manufacture of asphalt emulsion and the research of the pH effect on the formulation of asphalt emulsion has essential significance.