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Advances in Cementitious Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Applications
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Advances in Cementitious Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Applications

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 608

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Fengyin Du

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
Interests: advanced building materials; low-carbon cement; supplementary cementitious materials; microstructures; mechanical properties
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Linfei Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
Interests: the application of nanomaterials in concrete; sustainable, high-performance, and multi-functional construction materials; carbon captures and storage in concrete; exploring concrete durability through experimental analysis and multi-scale/multi-phase coupling model; implementing additive manufacturing (3D printing concrete) techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cementitious materials are fundamental components in the construction industry due to their versatility, durability, and adaptability to diverse applications. However, the increasing demand for enhanced performance, sustainable development, and reduced environmental impact poses significant challenges and opportunities for innovation in this field. Advances in material properties, microstructural design, and application techniques are pivotal in addressing issues such as resource efficiency, durability, and functionality, paving the way for future developments in infrastructure and beyond.

This Special Issue, titled "Advances in Cementitious Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Applications", aims to provide a platform for cutting-edge research and insights into the evolving landscape of cementitious materials. We welcome contributions that address the fundamental understanding of material properties, novel approaches to microstructural optimization, and innovative applications in construction and other industries. By exploring these areas, this Special Issue seeks to advance the knowledge and application of cementitious materials, contributing to their sustainable and efficient use.

For this Special Issue, both original research and review articles are encouraged. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) the following:

  1. Innovations in cementitious material formulations and their microstructural optimization;
  2. Property enhancement techniques for cementitious materials, including mechanical, durability, and thermal properties;
  3. Applications of advanced characterization methods to elucidate the microstructure–property relationship;
  4. Development of sustainable cementitious materials using industrial byproducts and alternative binders;
  5. Novel admixtures and their effects on the rheology, setting behavior, and long-term performance of cementitious systems;
  6. Advanced applications of cementitious materials in infrastructure, repair, and specialty constructions;
  7. Computational modeling and simulation to predict properties and performance of cementitious materials;
  8. Strategies to improve the durability and service life of cementitious systems in extreme environments.

This Special Issue offers an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to share their latest findings, foster collaborations, and contribute to the advancement of cementitious materials for a sustainable and innovative future.

Dr. Fengyin Du
Dr. Linfei Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cementitious materials
  • microstructure optimization
  • sustainability
  • durability
  • functionality
  • advanced applications

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

22 pages, 6192 KB  
Article
Influence of Nesquehonite on the Early-Stage Hydration of Portland Cement
by Zihan Li, Deping Chen, Teng Teng and Wenxin Liu
Materials 2025, 18(23), 5271; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18235271 - 21 Nov 2025
Viewed by 336
Abstract
Addressing the significant pressure for carbon emission reduction in the cement industry, the development of novel cement materials capable of achieving “in situ carbon sequestration” has become an important research focus. This study introduces nesquehonite (MgCO3·3H2O, NQ) as a [...] Read more.
Addressing the significant pressure for carbon emission reduction in the cement industry, the development of novel cement materials capable of achieving “in situ carbon sequestration” has become an important research focus. This study introduces nesquehonite (MgCO3·3H2O, NQ) as a functional admixture into the Portland cement system, systematically investigating its effects on the cement hydration process, the evolution of hydration products, and its carbon sequestration efficiency. Through designed penetration resistance tests and hydration tests with a high water-to-solid ratio, this research utilized X-ray diffraction analysis to determine the phase composition and content of hydration products at different ages. This was combined with scanning electron microscopy to observe microstructural evolution and Nano Measure software 1.2.5 for ettringite crystal size measurement, analyzing the impact of NQ on the early hydration process of P.I cement. The results indicate that the incorporation of NQ significantly alters the early hydration of P.I cement. The Mg2+ and CO32− ions released upon its dissolution interact with Ca2+ and OH− in the pore solution, effectively promoting the early precipitation of carbon sequestration products such as calcium carbonate and minor magnesium-containing carbonates. The addition of 10% NQ hindered the crystallization of Ca(OH)2 before 6 h but promoted its formation after 24 h. Mechanical property tests revealed that a sample with an optimal 3% NQ dosage not only increased the paste’s penetration resistance but also enhanced the compressive strength of the 1-day hardened sample by 8.37% compared to the plain sample, without a decrease and even a slight increase at 28 days. This enhancement is closely related to the microstructural strengthening effect induced by the carbonation products. This study confirms the feasibility of using NQ to steer the cement hydration pathway towards a low-carbon direction, revealing its dual functionality in regulating hydration and sequestering carbon within cement-based materials. The findings provide a new theoretical basis and technical pathway for developing high-performance, low-carbon cement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cementitious Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Applications)
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