Effect of Chain Characteristics of Polycarboxylate-Based Water-Reducing Admixtures on Behavior of Cementitious Systems: A Review

Polycarboxylate ether–based water-reducing admixtures (PCEs) have a significant impact on the workability of cementitious systems. The modifications of the chemical structures of the main and side chains can lead to the improvement of electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance effect of PCEs, resulting in the superior performance of cementitious systems. In this study, the impact of main- and side-chain properties of PCEs on various characteristics, especially the rheology of cementitious systems, was examined in detail via prior studies in the literature. In addition, pH, adsorption conformation, and intercalation state, which affect the aforementioned properties of PCEs, also were studied. It was concluded that the geometric equilibrium between the main and side chains has a vital place in designing optimum molecular structures.