Abstract The thermodynamically unstable nature of aqueous foam is a challenging problem for fabrication of ultra-lightweight foamed cement-based materials. Such materials are also facing many durability problems due to their hydrophilic property and porous microstructure. In this study, a matrix superhydrophobic cement foam with high specific strength was developed by a one-step process. The rational tomographic and chemical properties of the border-air interfaces of cement foam were simultaneously modified by a nanohybrid method, in which the nano silica was grafted with water repellent functional group, promoting the adsorption of nano silica onto the air-liquid interfaces. The joint effect of increased multi-scale roughness and hydrophilization of the interfaces produced bulk superhydrophobic cement foam, which revealed excellent mechanical robustness even upon major surface damage. Such foamed cement is of great importance for industrial thermal insulation applications, and potentially provide a solution to the long-standing durability problems of cement based porous materials.

中文翻译：

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水泥泡沫预设计基质导向超疏水化及分级强化

摘要 水性泡沫的热力学不稳定性质是制造超轻质泡沫水泥基材料的一个具有挑战性的问题。由于其亲水性和多孔微结构，此类材料也面临许多耐久性问题。在这项研究中，通过一步法开发了一种具有高比强度的基质超疏水水泥泡沫。通过纳米杂化方法同时改性水泥泡沫边界-空气界面的合理断层扫描和化学性质，其中纳米二氧化硅接枝疏水官能团，促进纳米二氧化硅在气-液界面上的吸附。多尺度粗糙度增加和界面亲水化的共同作用产生了块状超疏水水泥泡沫，即使在严重的表面损坏时，也显示出优异的机械强度。这种泡沫水泥对于工业隔热应用非常重要，并且有可能为水泥基多孔材料的长期耐久性问题提供解决方案。