Synthesis, performance and working mechanism of a novel polyaryl ether superplasticizer for cement-based materials

Synthesis of polyaryl ether (PAE), poly(salicylic acid)-co-poly[p-methylphenyl oxy poly(ethylene glycol) ether] by condensation polymerization and its properties in cement pastes are discussed. The synthesized PAE copolymer was characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). It was proved that PAE could be applied as a high-performance superplasticizer like conventional polycarboxylate ether (PCE). The performances of PAE in cement pastes were tested by the experiments of fluidity, clay tolerance, adsorption, setting time, cement hydration heat, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and its working mechanism was proposed through zeta potential and adsorbed layer thickness analysis. This research can provide useful guidance for the exploration of novel PCE-type superplasticizers in future studies.