Research progress on magnesium silicate hydrate phases and future opportunities

This short letter summaries the latest research on the structure and thermodynamic modelling of the magnesium silicate hydrates (M-S-H) phases. M-S-H structure is comparable to hydrated clays, with a smaller and rounder microstructures compared to clay platelets. Similar to clay minerals, M-S-H can incorporate ions such as aluminium and hydrated exchangeable cations to compensate the negative surface charge. This fundamental understanding of M-S-H structure allowed to develop structure-based thermodynamic models, which can further help to optimise the conditions for M-S-H formation and its use as cementitious materials. Optimized binders containing M-S-H have the advantages of presenting: i) good mechanical properties, ii) dense microstructure and potentially good resistances to leaching and iii) low pH values. These types of binders could therefore be used for cement products with non-steel reinforcement, for the encapsulation of specific wastes, for products containing natural fibres or for the clay stabilisation, etc.