Polycarboxylate superplasticizers based on α-allyl-ω-methoxypolyethyleneglycol-maleic anhydride-copolymers are used as additives in cement and mortar. In the present work such superplasticizers were synthesized via radical copolymerisation. Their adsorption behaviour was investigated in dependence on their molecular structure in aqueous CaCO3 suspension and cement suspension. The adsorption behaviour of the copolymers on the CaCO3 surface was determined via thermodynamic and colloid chemical investigations. It was shown that it depends on their molecular structure and ionic composition of the pore solution. Copolymers with high anionic charge density adsorb enthalpic and copolymers with low anionic charge density entropic favoured on the CaCO3 surface. The influence of molecular structure on the dispersing effectiveness of theses superplasticizers is described. In the case of the CaCO3-suspension an electrosteric mechanism has been found for copolymers with high anionic charge density and a steric mechanism has been observed for copolymers with low anionic charge density. The dispersion of cement particles in suspension whereas solely derives from a steric hindrance effect of the side chains. There, the dispersing effectiveness of the superplasticizer depends on the ratio of the length of trunk to side chains. For the first time, the influence of adsorbed conformation on the dispersing effectiveness of theses copolymers has been described.
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