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2026 Vol.36, Issue 6 Preview Page

Research Paper

Effect of Ultrafine SiO2 Powder on the Hydration Process of Hemihydrate Gypsum and Its Waterproofing Mechanism
Wenrong Yuan1
,
Qianbao Chen2
,
Jiacan Lin34
,
Liangting Geng34
,
Xuan Wu34
,
Renguo Dou2†
,
Won-Chun Oh5†
1Anhui Construction Engineering Road & Port Construction Group Equipment & New Materials Co., Ltd., Hefei 231600, China
2China Railway Shanghai Engineering Group Materials Industry & Trade Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201906, China
3Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory of Advanced Building Materials, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230601, China
4Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Advanced Building Materials, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230601, China
5Department of Advanced Materials Science & Engineering, Hanseo University, Seosan 31962, Republic of Korea
†Corresponding author E-Mail : 65516451@qq.com (R. Dou, CRSEGM), wc_oh@hanseo.ac.kr (W.-C. Oh, Hanseo Univ.)
27 June 2026. pp. 209-224
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Abstract

In this study, phospho-silica (SiO2) particles with different characteristic particle sizes were added as raw materials to manufacture β-hemihydrate gypsum (β-HPG) through high-temperature firing and pulverization. The effect of patterns and mechanisms of nano-SiO2 with different particle sizes and loading levels (0 to 1.5 %) on the hydration and curing processes of semi-hydrated gypsum, as well as the macroscopic properties and microstructure of cured products, were systematically investigated. The phase composition, chemical structure, pyrolysis behavior, and microstructure evolution of hydrated products were comprehensively characterized by combining them with microscopic analysis methods through tests of macroscopic properties. Results show that the addition of nano-SiO2 significantly reduced the standard consistent moisture requirement of β-semi-hydrated gypsum and optimized the rheological properties of the slurry, while effectively improving the physical properties of cured products, reducing moisture absorption and improving water resistance. Among them, nano-SiO2 with a particle size of 30 nm showed an optimal comprehensive modification effect. The novelty of this study lies in the systematic evaluation of particle-size-dependent effects (15 nm-2 µm) of ultrafine SiO2 on the hydration, mechanical performance, and water resistance of β-hemihydrate gypsum, and the elucidation of why 30 nm particles exhibit optimal comprehensive modification. This study provides a systematic theoretical basis and technical support for the high-value utilization of phosphogypsum and the development of high-performance gypsum-based building materials.

Keywords
ultrafine SiO2
hydration process
hemihydrate
gypsum
waterproofing
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Information
  • Publisher :Materials Research Society of Korea
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국재료학회
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Materials Research
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국재료학회지
  • Volume : 36
  • No :6
  • Pages :209-224
  • Received Date : 2026-03-26
  • Revised Date : 2026-06-06
  • Accepted Date : 2026-06-08
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.3740/MRSK.2026.36.6.209
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