Effective Absorption Capacity Examined by Isothermal Calorimetry: Effect of Pore Structure and Water-to-Cement Ratio

The accurate measurement of effective absorption capacity is crucial for highly absorptive materials when they are used within cement-based materials. In this study, a method for examining effective absorption capacity using isothermal calorimetry is reviewed and investigated in detail to accommodate different circumstances. Specifically, the effect of different pore structures and water-to-cement ratios in determining effective absorption capacity is experimentally examined using activated carbon fibre and powdered activated carbon. The results suggest that the method may be suitable for porous materials with micropores but not suitable for those with mesopores. Also, the results indicate that the effective absorption capacity value can change with the water-to-cement ratio used. These findings can be used to find the effective absorption capacity of highly absorptive materials more accurately using the isothermal calorimetry method.