Influence of the pH Value on the Water-Reducing Performance of Polycarboxylate-Based Superplasticizers at Room Temperature

Abstract

In order to study the effect of the pH value of reaction system on the properties of polycarboxylate-based superplasticizers (PC) and on the cement workability, the PC are synthesized in different pH environments from 3 to 11 at room temperature. The results show the water-reducing performance of PC can be tuned by controlling the pH value of reaction system at room temperature, which affects not only the efficiency and rate of redox initiator systems but also the reactivity of active monomers.