Structural Evolution of Calcium Sodium Aluminosilicate Hydrate(C-(N-)A-S-H) Gels Induced by Water Exposure: The Impact of Na Leaching

Calcium sodium aluminosilicate hydrate C-(N-)A-S-H gels, formed through the alkali-activation of calcium silicate-based materials, may exhibit greater susceptibility to aqueous environments when compared to traditional C-(A-)S-H phases. This study investigates structural changes in synthesized C-(N-)A-S-H gels triggered by water immersion. Three gels have been examined, each with stoichiometrically controlled ratios of Ca/Si (0.8 and 1.2), Al/Si (0.1 and 0.3), and Na/Si (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3). The gel with a higher Ca/Si ratio demonstrated enhanced resistance to water leaching and only experienced marginal decalcification whereas the gels with lower Ca/Si ratios exhibited more pronounced effects including leaching losses of Si. Notably, all gels displayed rapid and substantial sodium leaching, contributing to an increased degree of polymerization. A plausible mechanism for this change is that Na leaches out from the interlayer and Ca ions progressively take over the role of charge compensators in the interlayer of the C-(N-)A-S-H structure.