A cementitious composition may include polyvinyl alcohol, high alumina cement, water, a metallic coagent, a peroxide crosslinking initiator, and an organic acid retardant. A molded article may be manufactured from the cementitious composition by preparing a hydrogel pre-polymer blend of saponified polyvinyl alcohol acetate (PVAA) with greater than or equal to approximately 85% saponified PVAA, and water, mixing the hydrogel pre-polymer blend with high alumina cement (HAC) using a high shear mixing process, mixing in a metallic coagent and a peroxide crosslinking initiator, mixing in an organic acid retardant, and hot press molding the mixture.

Disclosed are masonry product feedstock compositions having natural aluminosilicate minerals, e.g., clay minerals and feldspars, to activate a geopolymer reaction. During the formation and curing of a masonry product, an alkali activator creates structural bonds within a mix of aggregates in the feedstock having a low moisture content (e.g., 5-10% by weight). The feedstock and manufacturing can require less energy, and can result in a lower environmental footprint than conventional masonry products. Associated processes and systems provide improved mixing and/or de-agglomeration of the feedstock, high compression during the formation of masonry products, and optimized curing. Exemplary products can include structural masonry units, veneer facing blocks, pavers, and other pre-cast products. Because the natural aluminosilicate minerals can be found in minimally processed abundant raw earth, the composition is not limited to conventional geopolymer materials that are sourced from industrial byproducts that are limited in geographic availability.

Disclosed are masonry product feedstock compositions having natural aluminosilicate minerals, e.g., clay minerals and feldspars, to activate a geopolymer reaction. During the formation and curing of a masonry product, an alkali activator creates structural bonds within a mix of aggregates in the feedstock having a low moisture content (e.g., 5-10% by weight). The feedstock and manufacturing can require less energy, and can result in a lower environmental footprint than conventional masonry products. Associated processes and systems provide improved mixing and/or de-agglomeration of the feedstock, high compression during the formation of masonry products, and optimized curing. Exemplary products can include structural masonry units, veneer facing blocks, pavers, and other pre-cast products. Because the natural aluminosilicate minerals can be found in minimally processed abundant raw earth, the composition is not limited to conventional geopolymer materials that are sourced from industrial byproducts that are limited in geographic availability.

The present invention relates to a process for producing calcium silicate hydrate under hydrothermal conditions, wherein an organic compound is added in at least one of the process steps and wherein the organic compound has a molecular weight of 100 to 600 g/mol and from 0.02 to 0.035 functional groups per gram of the organic compound, wherein the functional groups being selected from OH, COOH, COOM.sub.a, SO.sub.3H or SO.sub.3M.sub.a, or C(O)H, wherein M is hydrogen, a mono-, di- or trivalent metal cation, ammonium ion or an organic amine radical and a is , or 1. Further the invention is directed to the calcium silicate hydrate produceable according to the process of the present invention and its use as curing accelerator for hydraulic binders.

An aqueous dispersion of graphene oxide is prepared in an additive process by subjecting graphitic carbon, such as biochar, in water or an aqueous solution to a high-shear environment in the presence of a dispersing agent to exfoliate graphene oxide. An intercalating agent may be added to facilitate exfoliation, and optionally neutralized. The graphitic carbon may be pre-processed by wet milling prior to exfoliation. The aqueous dispersion of graphene oxide may be used as a concrete admixture in a concrete composition.