The CSH gel is an elusive material. Its variable composition and disordered nature
complicate a complete characterization of its atomic structure, and the elaboration of models …

Abstract Hectorite (Na 0.3 Mg 2.7 Li 0.3 Si 4 O 10 (OH) 2) is a trioctahedral clay mineral with
peculiar cation exchange capacity, surface reactivity and adsorption, and easy delamination …

Efforts to tune the performance of organic/inorganic composites are hindered owing to a lack
of knowledge related to the interfacial interaction mechanisms. Here we investigated the …

Properties of organic/inorganic composites can be highly dependent on the interfacial
connections. In this work, molecular dynamics, using pair-potential–based force fields, was …

Abstract Poly (vinyl alcohol)(PVA) emulsion is commonly used in cement-based materials to
obtain higher performance. The present work investigates the interaction mechanisms …

Calcite is widely used in many fields. The synthesis of calcite is strongly influenced by
solvents and additives. In this paper, the adsorption of water and formic acid molecules on …

Smectite clay minerals such as sodium montmorillonite (NaMt) are some of the main
constituents of expansive clays. This work evaluated the mechanical response of NaMt …

The macroscopic thermo-mechanical behavior and structural anisotropy of swelling clay are
mainly driven by the local deformation and failure of clay particles in nanoscale. Microscopic …

The softening and collapse of soft rocks have been a persistent problem in infrastructure
construction. The mechanism by which clay minerals are softened by water can be divided …

Empty spaces are abhorred by nature, which immediately rushes in to fill the void. Humans
have learnt pretty well how to make ordered empty nanocontainers, and to get useful …