The Effect of Xylitol as a Natural Admixture on the Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag/Fly Ash-Based Materials
This study introduces xylitol, a natural compound, as a multifunctional additive to enhance the performance of alkali-activated slag/fly ash materials (AASFMs). A systematic investigation was conducted to elucidate xylitol’s mechanism in modifying AASFM properties, including fresh behavior, hydratio...
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MDPI AG
2025-08-01
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| author | Jie Song Haowei Hu Weitong Yu |
| author_facet | Jie Song Haowei Hu Weitong Yu |
| author_sort | Jie Song |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study introduces xylitol, a natural compound, as a multifunctional additive to enhance the performance of alkali-activated slag/fly ash materials (AASFMs). A systematic investigation was conducted to elucidate xylitol’s mechanism in modifying AASFM properties, including fresh behavior, hydration kinetics, compressive strength, and autogenous shrinkage. The experimental findings demonstrated that xylitol significantly delayed early-age hydration while promoting more extensive hydration at later stages. Specifically, the initial and final setting times of AASFM pastes were extended by 640% and 370%, respectively, and paste flowability increased by 30%. At a 0.2% dosage, xylitol markedly reduced porosity and refined the microstructure of AASFMs, leading to improved mechanical properties. The 3-day and 28-day compressive strengths were enhanced by 39.8% and 39.7%, respectively, while autogenous shrinkage was suppressed by 61.4%. These results demonstrate the multifunctional potential of xylitol in AASFMs, serving as an effective retarder, plasticizer, strength enhancer, and shrinkage reducer. Notably, the refined pore structure induced by xylitol may also mitigate the risks of the alkali–silica reaction, though further durability validation is warranted. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a139a2e2f6fa40afaff0f4867515df99 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-a139a2e2f6fa40afaff0f4867515df992025-08-20T03:02:55ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-08-011515280510.3390/buildings15152805The Effect of Xylitol as a Natural Admixture on the Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag/Fly Ash-Based MaterialsJie Song0Haowei Hu1Weitong Yu2Key Laboratory of Building Structure of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Xinhua University, Hefei 230088, ChinaSchool of Environment and Energy Engineering, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230601, ChinaSchool of Urban Construction, Anhui Wenda University of Information Engineering, Hefei 231201, ChinaThis study introduces xylitol, a natural compound, as a multifunctional additive to enhance the performance of alkali-activated slag/fly ash materials (AASFMs). A systematic investigation was conducted to elucidate xylitol’s mechanism in modifying AASFM properties, including fresh behavior, hydration kinetics, compressive strength, and autogenous shrinkage. The experimental findings demonstrated that xylitol significantly delayed early-age hydration while promoting more extensive hydration at later stages. Specifically, the initial and final setting times of AASFM pastes were extended by 640% and 370%, respectively, and paste flowability increased by 30%. At a 0.2% dosage, xylitol markedly reduced porosity and refined the microstructure of AASFMs, leading to improved mechanical properties. The 3-day and 28-day compressive strengths were enhanced by 39.8% and 39.7%, respectively, while autogenous shrinkage was suppressed by 61.4%. These results demonstrate the multifunctional potential of xylitol in AASFMs, serving as an effective retarder, plasticizer, strength enhancer, and shrinkage reducer. Notably, the refined pore structure induced by xylitol may also mitigate the risks of the alkali–silica reaction, though further durability validation is warranted.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2805alkali-activated slag/fly ash materialsxylitolsetting timecompressive strengthautogenous shrinkage |
| spellingShingle | Jie Song Haowei Hu Weitong Yu The Effect of Xylitol as a Natural Admixture on the Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag/Fly Ash-Based Materials Buildings alkali-activated slag/fly ash materials xylitol setting time compressive strength autogenous shrinkage |
| title | The Effect of Xylitol as a Natural Admixture on the Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag/Fly Ash-Based Materials |
| title_full | The Effect of Xylitol as a Natural Admixture on the Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag/Fly Ash-Based Materials |
| title_fullStr | The Effect of Xylitol as a Natural Admixture on the Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag/Fly Ash-Based Materials |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Effect of Xylitol as a Natural Admixture on the Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag/Fly Ash-Based Materials |
| title_short | The Effect of Xylitol as a Natural Admixture on the Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag/Fly Ash-Based Materials |
| title_sort | effect of xylitol as a natural admixture on the properties of alkali activated slag fly ash based materials |
| topic | alkali-activated slag/fly ash materials xylitol setting time compressive strength autogenous shrinkage |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2805 |
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