On the action mechanism of phosphate-based superplasticizers in one-part alkali-activated slag

The mechanisms responsible for the compromised or lost dispersing capability of polycarboxylate ether (PCE) superplasticizers in two-part alkali-activated slag (AAS) have been extensively studied, but limited scientific understanding is available on how PCEs function or lose their dispersing efficiency in one-part AAS systems, particularly those prepared using greener carbonate -based solid activators. This study investigates the dispersing and adsorption behaviors of phosphate-based PCE in one-part AAS activated by K₂CO₃ or a combination of K₂CO₃ and CaO. Our findings indicate that in K₂CO₃-activated slag systems, the loss of phosphate-based PCE efficiency primarily results from the conformational contraction of PCE molecules, which deteriorates steric repulsion in the alkaline activating solution, rather than the insolubility of PCEs in alkaline solution or competitive adsorption between PCEs and carbonate anions on dissolving slag grains. In K₂CO₃-CaO-activated slag systems, when PCE dosage is below 5 mg/g, the consumption of PCE by early precipitates (e.g., C-A-S-H, gaylussite, calcite) contributes substantially to its lost efficiency; however, once the PCE dosage surpasses this threshold, the dominant factor influencing PCE efficiency shifts to the conformational change of PCE.