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Volume 15
Issue 4
10.3390/cryst15040358
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Article

The Effect of Sulfur Concentration on the Crystallization and Electrochemical Behavior of Portland Cement

by
Byung-Hyun Shin
1,†,
Jinyong Park
1,†,
Jeunghyeuon Cho
2,†,
Miyoung You
2,
Seongjun Kim
1,
Jung-Woo Ok
1,
Jonggi Hong
1,
Taekyu Lee
1,
Jong-Seung Bae
1,
Pungkeun Song
2,* and
Jang-Hee Yoon
1,*
1
Yeongnam Regional Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Busan 46742, Republic of Korea
2
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Crystals 2025, 15(4), 358; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15040358
Submission received: 10 March 2025 / Revised: 4 April 2025 / Accepted: 11 April 2025 / Published: 13 April 2025
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Abstract

Portland cement is a critical material widely used in the construction industry, where its crystallization and microstructure are key factors determining its physical and mechanical properties. This study investigated the effect of sulfur on the crystallization and microstructure of Portland cement. Sulfur acts as either an additive or an impurity during the cement production process, influencing the crystal size, distribution, and microstructure formation of major hydration products such as C3S (tricalcium silicate), C2S (dicalcium silicate), C3A (tricalcium aluminate), and C4AF (tetracalcium aluminoferrite). Through quantitative and qualitative evaluation using XRD, SEM, and EPMA analytical techniques, this study examined changes in the hydration characteristics, crystal structure, and microstructure of Portland cement with varying sulfur concentrations. The results revealed that increased sulfur content promotes the crystal growth of C3A and the formation of ettringite, which alters the density of the structure during the early stages of hydration and affects its long-term strength properties. These findings suggest that controlling the sulfur content plays a significant role in optimizing the performance and durability of Portland cement. This study highlights the potential for developing high-performance cement by regulating sulfur levels during the production process, contributing to advancements in construction materials.
Keywords: Portland cement; crystallization; microstructure; electrochemical behavior; sulfur concentration Portland cement; crystallization; microstructure; electrochemical behavior; sulfur concentration

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MDPI and ACS Style

Shin, B.-H.; Park, J.; Cho, J.; You, M.; Kim, S.; Ok, J.-W.; Hong, J.; Lee, T.; Bae, J.-S.; Song, P.; et al. The Effect of Sulfur Concentration on the Crystallization and Electrochemical Behavior of Portland Cement. Crystals 2025, 15, 358. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15040358

AMA Style

Shin B-H, Park J, Cho J, You M, Kim S, Ok J-W, Hong J, Lee T, Bae J-S, Song P, et al. The Effect of Sulfur Concentration on the Crystallization and Electrochemical Behavior of Portland Cement. Crystals. 2025; 15(4):358. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15040358

Chicago/Turabian Style

Shin, Byung-Hyun, Jinyong Park, Jeunghyeuon Cho, Miyoung You, Seongjun Kim, Jung-Woo Ok, Jonggi Hong, Taekyu Lee, Jong-Seung Bae, Pungkeun Song, and et al. 2025. "The Effect of Sulfur Concentration on the Crystallization and Electrochemical Behavior of Portland Cement" Crystals 15, no. 4: 358. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15040358

APA Style

Shin, B.-H., Park, J., Cho, J., You, M., Kim, S., Ok, J.-W., Hong, J., Lee, T., Bae, J.-S., Song, P., & Yoon, J.-H. (2025). The Effect of Sulfur Concentration on the Crystallization and Electrochemical Behavior of Portland Cement. Crystals, 15(4), 358. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15040358

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