The nucleation of C-S-H via prenucleation clusters.

The nucleation and growth of calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) is of fundamental importance for the strength development and durability of the concrete. However, the nucleation process of C-S-H is still not fully understood. The present work investigates how C-S-H nucleates by analyzing the aqueous phase of hydrating tricalcium silicate (CS) by applying inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy as well as analytical ultracentrifugation.