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Analysis of institutional authors

Costafreda JlCorresponding AuthorMartín D.a.AuthorAstudillo BAuthorPresa LAuthorParra JlAuthorParra, JlAuthor

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Article

Diatomites from the Iberian Peninsula as Pozzolans

Publicated to:Materials. 16 (10): 3883- - 2023-05-22 16(10), DOI: 10.3390/ma16103883

Authors: Costafreda, JL; Martín, DA; Astudillo, B; Presa, L; Parra, JL; Sanjuán, MA

Affiliations

Lab Oficial Ensayos Mat Construcc LOEMCO, C Eric Kandell 1, Getafe 28906, Spain - Author
Laboratorio Oficial para Ensayos de Materiales de Construccion (LOEMCO) - Author
Tech Univ Madrid, Civil Engn Sch, Dept Sci & Technol Bldg Mat, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Escuela Tecn Super Ingn Minas & Energia, C Rios Rosas 21, Madrid 28003, Spain - Author
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid - Author
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , Laboratorio Oficial para Ensayos de Materiales de Construcción (LOEMCO) - Author
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Abstract

The object of this work is to study and characterize diatomites from the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula to establish their character and quality as natural pozzolans. This research carried out a morphological and chemical characterization study of the samples using SEM and XRF. Subsequently, the physical properties of the samples were determined, including thermic treatment, Blaine particle finesse, real density and apparent density, porosity, volume stability, and the initial and final setting times. Finally, a detailed study was conducted to establish the technical properties of the samples through chemical analysis of technological quality, chemical analysis of pozzolanicity, mechanical compressive strength tests at 7, 28, and 90 days, and a non-destructive ultrasonic pulse test. The results using SEM and XRF show that the samples are composed entirely of colonies of diatoms whose bodies are formed by silica between 83.8 and 89.99% and CaO between 5.2 and 5.8%. Likewise, this indicates a remarkable reactivity of the SiO2 present in both natural diatomite (~99.4%) and calcined diatomite (~99.2%), respectively. Sulfates and chlorides are absent, while the insoluble residue portion for natural diatomite is 1.54% and 1.92% for calcined diatomite, values comparatively lower than the standardized 3%. On the other hand, the results of the chemical analysis of pozzolanicity show that the samples studied behave efficiently as natural pozzolans, both in a natural and calcined state. The mechanical tests establish that the mechanical strength of the mixed Portland cement and natural diatomite specimens (52.5 MPa) with 10% PC substitution exceeds the reference specimen (51.9 MPa) after 28 days of curing. In the case of the specimens made with Portland cement and calcined diatomite (10%), the compressive strength values increase even more and exceed the reference specimen at both 28 days (54 MPa) and 90 days (64.5 MPa) of curing. The results obtained in this research confirm that the diatomites studied are pozzolanic, which is of vital importance because they could be used to improve cements, mortars, and concrete, which translates to a positive advantage in the care of the environment.

Keywords

calcinationcalcined diatomitecementcorrosion behaviorimprovementmasonry wastemechanical strengthmortarspartial replacementpowderpozzolanicitypurityCalcinationDiatomiteMechanical strengthMortarsNatural hydraulic limePozzolanicity

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Materials due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2023, it was in position 20/90, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2025-06-10:

  • Google Scholar: 1
  • WoS: 5
  • Scopus: 6
  • OpenCitations: 3

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-10:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 14 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (COSTAFREDA MUSTELIER, JORGE LUIS) and Last Author (Sanjuan MA).

    the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been COSTAFREDA MUSTELIER, JORGE LUIS.