Rationalizing the Effect of the MAA/PEGMA Ratio of Comb‐Shape Copolymers Synthetized by Aqueous Free‐Radical Copolymerization in the Hydration Kinetics of Ordinary Portland Cements

Methacrylic acid-co-poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate) (MAA-co-PEGMA) copolymers (MPEG-type polycarboxylate ether (PCE) superplasticizers) are characterized by a comb-like structure. Although they have been used for years as dispersants in cementitious formulations, their structure–property relationship is still not fully understood. In this work, PCEs with uniform composition and different charge-density (N) or side chain lengths (P) synthesized free-radical copolymerization varying the MAA/PEGMA ratios ethylene oxide units PEGMA macromonomers. The effect of these on hydration kinetics an Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) analyzed, it observed that increasing PCE concentration delayed. For given concentration, delay longer ratio increases length decreases. proportional to carboxylate dosage all fit master curve proving microstructure can be correlated commercial OPC.