Abstract & Overview
Portland Type V and IP cement has been investigated using Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy to obtain information on the binding chemistry of zinc and its influence on the mechanisms of hydration, carbonation, and silicate polymerization. Samples of both zinc doped and undoped cement were cured under air and argon. Considerable insight has been gained concerning the nature of the hydration reactions both in the presence of carbon dioxide, and in its absence, both with and without the influence of zinc. Carbonation has been found to be important in the hydration and polymerization of silicates and the influences of zinc doping on these processes have been delineated. Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectral evidence for the presence of CaZn2(OH)6•2H2O has been obtained. A model is discussed for the observed influences of zinc on the surface chemistry of cement. The information is considered valuable for the improvement of the solidification/stabilization of zinc‐containing wastes in the environment.