The present specification discloses ceramic matrix compositions, methods of making such ceramic matrix compositions and methods and uses for such ceramic matrix compositions.

The invention relates to the use of calcium nitrate to reduce the pore size distribution of a hardened cementitious composition, preferably, a hardened concrete composition, wherein the cementitious (concrete) composition comprises between 1 weight % to 4 weight % of calcium nitrate of the cement content of the cementitious composition, depending on the type of cement. This results in a reduced permeability for the set cementitious (concrete) composition for carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and thus an elevated resistance towards carbonation. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing such a hardened cementitious (concrete) composition and a pourable and curable (wet) concrete composition. The invention also relates to a steel reinforced concrete solid having an elevated resistance towards carbonation and a method for producing a steel reinforced concrete solid having an elevated resistance towards carbonation.

Disclosed are a composite particle and a method of manufacturing the same. The composite particle may have an appropriate level of particle diameter and may maintain a stable shape and internal porous structure when the composite particle is applied during a coating process at high temperature.

The present invention provides a photocatalytic concrete material sprayed with titanium dioxide/activated zeolite composite material and preparation method thereof, and the photocatalytic concrete material sprayed with titanium dioxide/activated zeolite composite material comprises following raw materials in parts by weight titanium dioxide 0.1-20 parts, activated zeolite molecular sieve 0.1-20 parts, dispersant 0.1-5 parts, emulsifier 0.05-2 parts, coupling agent 0.05-2 parts, cement 40-90 parts, fine sand 40-90 parts and water. In the present invention, the activated zeolite molecular sieve can load titanium dioxide photocatalytic material as a carrier, and can easily adsorb gaseous pollutant of automobile exhaust with huge specific surface area (280.1 m.sup.2/g), thereby increasing photocatalytic degradation efficiency and the efficiency can reach 92%, besides, the present invention has advantages of simple preparation technology, cheap raw materials and low preparation cost, so the present invention is suitable for industrial production.

The present invention provides compositions and methods relative to controlling hydration onset of an alkaline earth metal oxide such as calcium oxide, comprising heating an inorganic alkaline earth metal oxide to sub-calcination temperatures in the presence of organic material comprising a carbohydrate, an amino-carboxylic acid, a hydroxycarboxylic acid, or a mixture thereof. Preferred treated particles comprise at least 40% and more preferably at least 80% by dry weight calcium oxide which is heated in the presence of ascorbic acid and a starch. Treated particles of the present invention manifest an unexpected, surprising hydration induction postponement behavior as demonstrated through calorimetric testing.

The invention relates to a composition for a pasty filler material (1), comprising an organic binding agent, fillers, and additives. Furthermore, the composition comprises perlites having an amphiphilic coating. The invention further relates to a corresponding pasty filler material (1), and a method for producing a pasty filler material (1). The inventive pasty filler has a lower tendency to post-thickening than other known pasty fillers.

The object of the invention is a clay plaster and a method of performing the clay plaster, wherein the clay plaster comprising clay and optionally aggregates in the form of sand, organic and/or mineral fillers, characterizes in that it comprises clay in an amount of more than 40% by weight, preferably more than 60% by weight, and more preferably more than 80% by weight, and most preferably 100% by weight of content based on the clay plaster dry matter, wherein the clay is in a powder form and granular form, whereby the amount of clay powder does not exceed 80% by weight of the granular clay and optionally comprises a mineral and/or organic filler in an amount of not more than 60% by weight, as well as possible modifying additives, additives increasing the adhesion to the substrate, additives delaying the time of granular clay soaking, retention additives and/or pigments, wherein the amount of additives is not more than 10% by weight based on the clay plaster dry matter and the method of performing the clay plaster according to the invention consists in rapid mixing of the dry ingredients of the clay plaster with an aqueous solvent immediately prior to its application to or during application onto the substrate. Thus mixed clay plaster, before the clay grains soaking in and humidity homogenisation, is immediately applied onto the substrate prepared as for other mineral plasters, resulting in a good adhesion to the substrate after drying. Preferably, the clay plaster is applied onto the substrate after having applied a bonding layer in the form of clay slurry onto a dry substrate first.

Compositions and methods for producing materials for construction and for dust control utilizing enzyme producing cells, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium such as calcium chloride. Calcium contributes to the formation of calcium carbonate which creates a solid structure, layer or shield. One or more compositions containing components of the invention can be sprayed or otherwise applied to surfaces for erosion control, foundation support, prevention of sink hole formation, prevention of dust formation, or other applications. Ammonia, water and other by-products of the process can be recycled and reutilized for the same or other purposes including, for example, as fertilizers and energy sources, or independently fermented from selectively cultivated microorganisms.

A method of pressure-pumping a ready-mixed concrete includes pouring a preceding material for pumping into a piping, then, pouring the ready-mixed concrete into the piping, and pressure-pumping the preceding material and the ready-mixed concrete, so that a lubricant layer formed of the preceding material is formed on an inner surface of the piping to thereby pressure-pump the ready-mixed concrete inside the lubricant layer made of the preceding material. The preceding material includes calcium carbonate as a main material, to which cellulose nanofibers and erythorobic acid are added, and an amount of the cellulose nanofibers is 0.005 wt % or more.

The present invention provides pourable aqueous dispersion compositions of (a) one or more cellulose ethers and (b) one or more superplasticizers stably suspended in an aqueous dispersion of (c) one or more stabilizers in the form of a colloidal dispersion, further containing (d) one or more monovalent salts, such as an alkali metal salt. The minimum total amount of the cellulose ether, as solids in the pourable aqueous dispersion is 8 wt. % or, preferably, 12 wt. % or, preferably, 14 wt. % and the solids weight ratio of total cellulose ether to salt is close to 1:1, ranging, for example, from 0.7:1 to 1.4:1. Further, the amounts of the (a) one or more cellulose ethers and the (b) one or more superplasticizers enable the provision of pourable aqueous dispersion compositions effective for use in cement applications by simple dilution with water.