Alginate- and sulfonate-based superabsorbent polymers for application in cementitious materials: Effects of kinetics on internal curing and other properties

Superabsorbent polymers have been widely investigated for internal curing in cementitious materials. In most cases, commercial SAPs are used and not enough information is available regarding their chemical composition. Efficient and optimal application of SAPs in cementitious materials depends on chemical composition and its effects on the properties of the material. Being able to relate and predict the behavior of SAPs and fine tune properties for specific applications are of utmost importance. In this paper, eight different innovative and "in-house" produced polymers (based on alginates and sulfonates) are studied as internal curing agents in cement pastes and compared to commercially available SAPs. The different kinetics of water sorption and desorption and its effects on mitigation of autogenous shrinkage and other properties are thoroughly discussed and linked to chemical composition of SAPs, providing recommendations on the selection of the appropriate SAPs for different application in cementitious materials.