Hybrid additives for construction applications, fabricated through layer-by-layer adsorption of polycondensate type superplasticizers on latex templates

Novel hybrid admixtures for construction applications were prepared by layer-by-layer deposition technique. Colloidal core templates consisting of styrene/acrylate latex particles were coated with multilayers of polycondensate-based dispersants commonly used in concrete. This way, core–shell particles possessing both dispersing and film-forming properties were achieved. Incorporation of the latex@dispersant hybrid additive into a cement paste results in a slow release of the dispersant which instigates prolonged plastification of the cement slurry. Following disintegration of the shell, the latex core particles are released into the pore solution and coalesce into a polymer film which improves the mechanical properties of the hardened cement. Characterization of the templates and novel additives plus tracking of the layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte adsorption was performed by means of zeta potential measurement, dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. Our method allows to synthesize multifunctional additives with time-controlled release effect.