This paper systematically studied the modification of cement-based materials by nano-SiO₂ particles with an average diameter of about 20 nm. In order to obtain the effect of nano-SiO₂ particles on the mechanical properties, hydration, and pore structure of cement-based materials, adding 1%, 3%, and 5% content of nano-SiO₂ in cement paste, respectively. The results showed that the reaction of nano-SiO₂ particles with Ca(OH)₂ (crystal powder) started within 1 h, and formed C–S–H gel. The reaction speed was faster after aging for three days. The mechanical properties of cement-based materials were improved with the addition of 3% nano-SiO₂, and the early strength enhancement of test pieces was obvious. Three-day compressive strength increased 33.2%, and 28-day compressive strength increased 18.5%. The exothermic peak of hydration heat of cement increased significantly after the addition of nano-SiO₂. Appearance time of the exothermic peak was advanced and the total heat release increased. Thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) analysis showed that nano-SiO₂ promoted the formation of C–S–H gel. The results of mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) showed that the total porosity of cement paste with 3% nano-SiO₂ was reduced by 5.51% and 5.4% at three days and 28 days, respectively, compared with the pure cement paste. At the same time, the pore structure of cement paste was optimized, and much-detrimental pores and detrimental pores decreased, while less harmful pores and innocuous pores increased.

Fly ash is the largest source of industrial solid waste in China. Fly ash with its high content of unburned carbon has to be discarded in landfills and cause environmental problem. To reduce the environmental impacts, lightweight aggregate (LWA) was manufactured utilizing high-carbon fly ash (HCFA) (loss on ignition, LOI = ∼16.3%). Trial tests were conducted on high-carbon fly ash lightweight aggregate (HCFA-LWA) in a laboratory electric furnace and in a manufacturer's batch furnace. A new temperature profile was proposed for the HCFA-LWA sintering process in which carbon served as a partial fuel substitute during the burning period, which can decrease the sintering period in the sintering stage of the LWA and save energy