Widely Recognized Names for Polycarboxylate Ethers

Polycarboxylic Acid | Acrylic Co-polymer Superplasticizer | Third Generation Superplasticizer | Aqueous Copolymer Solution of PCE | Polycarboxylate Ether | PCE Dispersant | Polycarboxylate Comb-Copolymers | PCE Mother Liquor

A General Composition of Polycarboxylate Ethers

Polycarboxylate ethers (PCE) are composed of polyoxyalkylene groups, predominantly polyethylene or polypropylene glycol groups, along with monomers such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid and its anhydride, itaconic acid, and its anhydride.

Molecular Structure of Polycarboxylate Ether

Polycarboxylate superplasticizers (PCEs) are polymer structures characterized by an anionic backbone and multiple nonionic pendant chains, predominantly consisting of polyethylene glycols.

How PCE molecule influence Cement in Concrete

Polycarboxylate superplasticizers (PCEs) consist of a backbone chain with side-chains containing hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups. The hydrophilic groups form a polymer-based adsorption layer in the water phase, while the hydrophobic groups are adsorbed onto cement particles, reducing the interfacial energy and promoting dispersion.

Steric hindrance, influenced by the polymeric structure, plays a significant role in PCE performance. The long polyoxyethylene ether side-chains achieve strong steric repulsion, crucial for dispersing cement particles. The side-chain length greatly influences dispersing performance, with longer side-chains enhancing initial dispersion of cement pastes.

Additionally, PCEs with longer side-chains can accelerate cement hydration and alter the crystal state of resulting hydration products.

Application Industries for Polycarboxylate Ethers

ready mix concrete | block manufacturing | precast concrete manufacturing | self-compacting concrete | oil well cementing | Gypsum Products | Mortars/Grouts | Shotcrete and Sprayed Concrete