Adsorption and heterocoagulation of nonionic surfactants and latex particles on cement hydrates.

The adsorption of nonionic surfactants of the alkyl-phenol-poly(ethylene oxide) family and of acrylic latex particles on several anhydrous (but hydrating) or fully hydrated mineral phases of Portland cement was studied. No or negligible adsorption of the surfactant was observed. This was assigned to the ionized character of the surface silanol groups in calcium-silicate-hydrates and to the strongly ionic character of the OH groups in calcium hydroxide and in the calcium-sulfoaluminate-hydrates, which prevents the formation of surface-ethoxy hydrogen bonds.