ACI MATERIALS JOURNAL TECHNICAL PAPER

Title No. 118-M70

Mortar with Opuntia Ficus-Indica Mucilage Additions

Exposed to CO2-Laden Environment
by Andrés A. Torres-Acosta and Paola Y. González-Calderón

Mortar cubes containing different addition levels (0, 1.5, 4, 8, 42, observed because water penetration and chloride transport
and 95%, by water mass replacement concentration) of Opuntia decrease inside a porous material if this biopolymer is used
ficus-indica (OFI) mucilage were exposed for a 14-year (5110-day) in mortar and concrete exposed to a chloride-laden environ-
period in a natural CO2-laden environment. Physical characteriza- ment for several months or years.1,2,4,6,7
tion tests were performed on the mortar cubes, such as saturated
OFI mucilage has also shown good performance as a
electrical resistivity (ρS), percent total void content (%TV), water
corrosion inhibitor for steel in chloride-contaminated alka-
capillary absorption (εEFF), and compressive strength (fc). Changes
in pH due to carbonation were also determined, and carbonation line solutions, mortar, and concrete. This performance was
rates (KCO2 ) were recorded. Findings suggest that the addition of apparently due to the biopolymer’s reaction with the steel
OFI mucilage concentrations between 4 and 8% (by water mass surface to form a more closely packed and thicker oxide-
replacement) may be suitable for durability-enhancing applica- polymer protective layer during mortar-concrete hardening,
tions in cement-based mortar exposed to carbonation-induced which increases the propagation period when chlorides
environments. reach the reinforcing steel.3,5,9,10
Keywords: additions; carbonation; durability; mortar; Opuntia ficus-indica
RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE
(OFI) mucilage.
Investigation in the use of OFI mucilage in cement-
based mortar and concrete for construction applications
INTRODUCTION
was mainly directed at chloride-laden environment applica-
There is an increase in the use of Opuntia ficus-indica
tions. No data is available on possible affections on the same
(OFI) mucilage as a botanical/natural addition to cement-
mortar exposed to acidic media that promotes the carbon-
based materials.1-7 OFI cactus is a large cactus species native
ation of cement-based materials. The objective of the present
to Mexico and commercially grown in many other countries
study was to determine the long-term (5110 days [14 years])
around the world.7,8 It grows in semi-arid and arid environ-
physical performance of cement-based mortars containing
ments and forms large cladodes, forming a tree-like plant
the same OFI mucilage proportions as in the previous inves-
when no harvesting of the plant is performed.
tigation,7 in a carbonation-induced natural environment, and
As explained in a previous investigation,7 OFI cactus
to check if this natural/botanical addition may be suitable
cladodes contain several amino acids, sugars, and minerals
for durability enhancing in other hazardous environments
such as calcium, potassium, and sodium. Cladode mineral
(urban and industrial).
concentration varies depending on harvest time (dry or
wet season) and plant age. Further chemical composition
EXPERIMENTAL
of OFI mucilage, a specialized biopolymer, is found in the
Materials
first part of this investigation,7 and thus is not included in
Mucilage was extracted from OFI cladodes by first
the current study; however, the presence of these minerals,
cutting them into small cubes (approximately 5 x 5 x
mainly calcium, suggests that this plant may remain stable
5 cm [2 x 2  x 2  in.]). These were placed in boiling water
over long periods, with minimal or no long-term degradation
(1:1 water-cladode ratio) for 45 to 50 minutes. The small
of its products in highly alkaline media.
cubes were then removed, leaving the mucilage, and stored
This biopolymer (mucilage) is produced by first slicing
in glass containers to prevent decomposition. Mortar was
OFI cladodes and soaking them in water for 2 days at
mixed using cement (Type I portland cement—desig-
most (sometimes they are cooked to obtain the mucilage
nated as CPO cement in Mexican regulations),11 mine
in a couple of hours instead of days). The resulting solu-
query silica sand (1:3 cement-sand ratio), and water
tion is extremely viscous and is used as water in restoration
(w) or a water and mucilage (w + m) mixture (650 mL
construction materials, mainly to produce plasters and putty
[22  oz], liquid/740 g [1.6 lb], water-cement ratio (w/c) or
in combination with commercial hydrated lime, resulting in
(w + m)/c of 0.88).
more water-repellent plasters compared to those made from
commercial hydrated lime and water alone.7 ACI Materials Journal, V. 118, No. 5, September 2021.
The use of the biopolymer in cement-based materials and MS No. M-2020-397.R1, doi: 10.14359/51732796, received April 12, 2021, and
reviewed under Institute publication policies. Copyright © 2021, American Concrete
alkaline media is well-documented at the moment.1-7 As Institute. All rights reserved, including the making of copies unless permission is
demonstrated previously,7 OFI mucilage acts as a pore clog obtained from the copyright proprietors. Pertinent discussion including author’s
closure, if any, will be published ten months from this journal’s date if the discussion
in porous materials such as mortar and concrete. This was is received within four months of the paper’s print publication.

ACI Materials Journal/September 2021 75