Reconstruction of calcium silicate hydrates using multiple 2D and 3D imaging techniques: Light microscopy, μ‐CT, SEM, FIB‐nT combined with EDX

Abstract

This study demonstrates the application and combination of multiple imaging techniques [light microscopy, micro‐X‐ray computer tomography (μ‐CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and focussed ion beam – nano‐tomography (FIB‐nT)] to the analysis of the microstructure of hydrated alite across multiple scales. However, by comparing findings with mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), it becomes obvious that the imaged 3D volumes and 2D images do not sufficiently overlap at certain scales to allow a continuous quantification of the pore size distribution (PSD). This can be overcome by improving the resolution and increasing the measured volume. Furthermore, results show that the fibrous morphology of calcium‐silicate‐hydrates (C‐S‐H) phases is preserved during FIB‐nT. This is a requirement for characterisation of nano‐scale porosity. Finally, it was proven that the combination of FIB‐nT with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) data facilitates the phase segmentation of a 11 × 11 × 7.7 μm3 volume of hydrated alite.

Optimization and Evaluation for the Capacitive Deionization Process of Wastewater Reuse in Combined Cycle Power Plants

“…The foulants on the membrane surfaces, spacers, and the electrode were examined to provide detailed information on the morphology and composition of the fouling materials [ 61 , 62 ]. A field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and an X-ray spectrometer (EDS) (JSM-7160F from JEOL LTD) were applied to each sample.…”

Characterisation of cement‐based materials by 2D and 3D analytical SEM

“…x 5-10 nm 3 [24]. Furthermore, high pressure frozen cement suspensions can be sliced and viewed in the FIB-SEM, allowing an insight into particle dispersion in a closeto-native environment (which means hindrance of ice crystallisation during freezing, slicing, and imaging).…”

Evolution of the particle size distribution of tricalcium silicate during hydration by synchrotron X-ray nano-tomography

“…High resolution of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can be used to record 3D images of cementitious materials using focussed ion beam serial sectioning [10]. The limiting factor is the small size of the analysed volume in the SEM, that is often too small to deduce statistical relevant data for a variety of particle sizes [59,60,61]. For X-ray microscopy, one can obtain the absorption and phase-contrast images of the sample for larger volumes.…”