1H NMR relaxation analysis of cement-based materials: The spin-lock T 1 ρ experiment and the partitioning of water in C-S-H inter-layer spaces
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In recent years, 1 H NMR relaxometry has become a mainstream methodology for study of the nano-porosity of cement-based materials. For the most part, measurements have been carried out using variants of the classic CPMG T 2 and solid-echo NMR pulse sequences and, to a lesser extent, the inversion recovery T 1 sequence. Notwithstanding considerable successes, these methods all have one or another disadvantage, quite often associated with reliable differentiation of the so-called inter-layer and quasi-crystalline water fractions. In this paper, we introduce the application of the T 1 ρ spin-lock experiment as a convenient alternative methodology. Early results are presented. Measuring T 1 ρ overcomes some of the earlier difficulties, potentially has some wider advantages but also has raised some interesting questions of interpretation associated with the partitioning of water between C-S-H interlayer spaces and quasi-crystalline phases. • NMR spin-lock T 1 ρ to measure water fractionation in cement pores is introduced. • Compared to CPMG T 2 , water in inter-layer spaces is partitioned differently. • This offers a route to sub-partitioning structured water/ 1 H in inter-layer spaces.
Source: Cement and Concrete Research
Institutions: University of Surrey, Imperial College London
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,180
OpenAlex ID: W7116844511