Study on the Deterioration Mechanism of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement under an Alkaline Environment.

The deterioration process and deterioration mechanism of magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) in an alkaline environment were studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) and a micro-electro-hydraulic servo pressure testing machine to investigate the effects of soaking time in 10 wt.% NaOH solution on the macro- and micro-morphology, phase composition and compressive strength of MOC samples. The results show that the deterioration of MOC samples under an alkaline environment is mainly caused by the alkaline environment providing more OH- ions, which can react with 5Mg(OH)2·MgCl2·8H2O (P 5) in the sample. The resulting reaction gives rise to a faster decomposition of 5Mg(OH)2·MgCl2·8H2O (P 5) and a substantial reduction in the strength of the sample, and finally leads to a gradual deterioration of MOC samples. Meanwhile, immersion time exhibits a significant effect on MOC samples. The extension of immersion time coincides with more OH- ions entering the sample, and the greater presence of OH ions increases the likelihood that more P 5 will produce a hydrolysis reaction, further resulting in the increased deterioration of the sample. After soaking for 6 h in alkaline media, the main phase composition of the surface layer of an MOC sample changes to MgO and Mg(OH)2, and its microscopic morphology is also dominated by round sheets, giving rise to a sharp decrease in its compressive strength (52.2%). When the immersion time is prolonged to 72 h, OH- ions have already immersed into the inner core of the sample, causing the disappearance of P 5 from the whole sample. At the same time, both the surface and inner core of the sample exhibit a disc-shaped morphology, and chalking phenomena also appear on the surface of the sample. This reduces the compressive strength of the sample to 13.5 MPa, only 20% of its compressive strength in water. The compressive strength of the sample after 120 h of immersion is as low as 8.6 MPa, which is lower than that of the sample dipped in water for 21 days (9.5 MPa). As a result, the MOC samples studied in alkaline environments exhibit a faster deterioration rate, mainly because of a faster hydrolysis reaction by P 5, caused by more OH- ions.

Study on Deterioration Process of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement under the Environment of Dry-Wet Cycles.

To reveal the deterioration process of magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) in an outdoor, alternating dry-wet service environment, the evolution of the macro- and micro-structures of the surface layer and inner core of MOC samples as well as their mechanical properties and increasing dry-wet cycle numbers were investigated by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), a simultaneous thermal analyser (TG-DSC), a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), and an microelectromechanical electrohydraulic servo pressure testing machine. The results show that as the number of dry-wet cycles increases, the water molecules gradually invade the interior of the samples, causing the hydrolysis of P 5 (5Mg(OH)2·MgCl2·8H2O) and hydration reactions of unreacted active MgO. After three dry-wet cycles, there are obvious cracks on the surface of the MOC samples, and they suffer from warped deformation. The microscopic morphology of the MOC samples changes from a gel state and a short, rod-like shape to a flake shape, which is a relatively loose structure. Meanwhile, the main phase composition of the samples becomes Mg(OH)2, and the Mg(OH)2 contents of the surface layer and inner core of the MOC samples are 54% and 56%, respectively, while the P 5 amounts are 12% and 15%, respectively. The compressive strength of the samples decreases from 93.2 MPa to 8.1 MPa and reduces by 91.3%, and their flexural strength declines from 16.4 MPa to 1.2 MPa. However, their deterioration process is delayed compared with the samples that were dipped in water continuously for 21 days whose compressive strength is 6.5 MPa. This is primarily ascribed to the fact that during the natural drying process, the water in the immersed samples evaporates, the decomposition of P 5 and the hydration reaction of unreacted active MgO both slow down, and the dried Mg(OH)2 may provide the partial mechanical properties, to some extent.

Effect of Calcination Temperature on Mechanical Properties of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement.

In order to make full use of magnesium chloride resources, the development and utilisation of magnesium oxychloride cement have become an ecological and economic goal. Thus far, however, investigations into the effects on these cements of high temperatures are lacking. Herein, magnesium oxychloride cement was calcinated at various temperatures and the effects of calcination temperature on microstructure, phase composition, flexural strength, and compressive strength were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and compression testing. The mechanical properties varied strongly with calcination temperature. Before calcination, magnesium oxychloride cement has a needle-like micromorphology and includes Mg(OH)2 gel and a trace amount of gel water as well as 5 Mg(OH)2·MgCl2·8H2O, which together provide its mechanical properties (flexural strength, 18.4 MPa; compressive strength, and 113.3 MPa). After calcination at 100 °C, the gel water is volatilised and the flexural strength is decreased by 57.07% but there is no significant change in the compressive strength. Calcination at 400 °C results in the magnesium oxychloride cement becoming fibrous and mainly consisting of Mg(OH)2 gel, which helps to maintain its high compressive strength (65.7 MPa). When the calcination temperature is 450 °C, the microstructure becomes powdery, the cement is mainly composed of MgO, and the flexural and compressive strengths are completely lost.

Lithium Vanadium Oxide/Graphene Composite as a Promising Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Lithium vanadium oxide (Li3VO4, LVO) is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity (394 mAh g-1) and safe working potential (0.5-1.0 V vs. Li+/Li). However, its electrical conductivity is low which leads to poor electrochemical performance. Graphene (GN) shows excellent electrical conductivity and high specific surface area, holding great promise in improving the electrochemical performance of electrode materials for LIBs. In this paper, LVO was prepared by different methods. SEM results showed the obtained LVO by sol-gel method possesses uniform nanoparticle morphology. Next, LVO/GN composite was synthesized by sol-gel method. The flexible GN could improve the distribution of LVO, forming a high conductive network. Thus, the LVO/GN composite showed outstanding cycling performance and rate performance. The LVO/GN composite can provide a high initial capacity of 350.2 mAh g-1 at 0.5 C. After 200 cycles, the capacity of LVO/GN composite remains 86.8%. When the current density increased from 0.2 C to 2 C, the capacity of LVO/GN composite only reduced from 360.4 mAh g-1 to 250.4 mAh g-1, demonstrating an excellent performance rate.

Research and Engineering Application of Salt Erosion Resistance of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement Concrete.

Aiming at the problem that ordinary cement concrete is subjected to damage in heavy saline soil areas in China, a new type of magnesium oxychloride cement concrete is prepared by using the gelling properties of magnesium oxychloride cement in this study, and the erosion resistance of the synthesized magnesium oxychloride cement concrete in concentrated brine of salt lakes is studied through the full immersion test. The effects of concentrated brine of salt lakes on the macroscopic, microscopic morphology, phase composition and mechanical properties of magnesium oxychloride cement concrete are investigated by means of macro-morphology, erosion depth, SEM, XRD and strength changes. The salt erosion resistance mechanism of magnesium oxychloride cement concrete is revealed. The results demonstrate that under the environment of full immersion in concentrated brine of salt lakes, there is no macroscopic phenomenon of concrete damage due to salt crystallization, and the main phase composition is basically unchanged. The microscopic morphology mostly changes from needle-rod-like to gel-like. Due to the formation of a new 5·1·8 phase on the surface layer and the increase in compactness, its compressive strength has a gradual increase trend. Based on the engineering application of magnesium oxychloride cement concrete, it is further confirmed that magnesium oxychloride cement concrete has excellent salt erosion resistance and good weather resistance, which provides theoretical support for future popularization and application.