Hydration control and performance enhancement of cementitious materials with a sustainable retarder derived from waste cheese whey

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-31-2026

Abstract

Retarders are widely employed as chemical admixtures in cementitious construction materials to enhance workability. However, the production of conventional retarders causes significant environmental pollution and carbon emissions, which contradicts the overarching framework of sustainable development. This study developed a biomass retarder through a stepwise fermentation process guided by metabolic regulation using waste whey biomass of dairy production. Sodium galactonate, the primary component of the biomass retarder, was evaluated for its impact on the fresh properties, hydration kinetics, and microstructure of ordinary portland cement across a range of dosages. The results showed that the biomass retarder effectively prolonged the setting time of cement and improved the fluidity. The incorporation of a biomass retarder at a dosage of 0.04 % resulted in an 86.8 % increase in initial setting time and a 46.7 % enhancement in the initial fluidity, respectively. The biomass retarder exerted a detrimental impact on 3-d strength; however, after prolonged curing, its strength matched or even exceeded the original cement specimen. In addition, the drying shrinkage of cement mortar specimens was significantly reduced. Based on a comprehensive consideration of overall properties, an optimal dosage of 0.03 % was determined. Furthermore, this study utilized small-angle X-ray scattering to reveal the size variations of C-S-H agglomerations based on the fractal disc-shaped particle model and the Guinier approximation, thereby revealing the optimization of the gel distribution. This paper highlights the potential of recycled waste whey biomass retarder as an eco-friendly alternative for conventional retarders, offering a sustainable approach to valorizing biomass resources in cementitious materials.

Publication Title

Construction and Building Materials

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