During my PhD I was also involved in the study of the properties of slaked lime putties with the aim of selecting the optimal processing parameters to be used in the preparation of mortars for conservation purposes. The quality of the entire lime production process (i.e. calcination, slaking and aging) translates in the ultimate performance of lime putties as binders. During this research, I developed skills in the study of:

i) Thermal decomposition of carbonates. A detailed understanding of the kinetics and mechanisms of calcium carbonate decomposition is not only necessary for achieving appropriate technological properties of CaO, but may also contribute to the better understanding of calcite thermal decomposition in nature. I performed ex situ and in situ decomposition studies using TEM to understand how Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) patterns can be used to determine possible topotactic relationships between the parent and the product phases.

ii) Microstructure, rheology and aging of lime suspensions: effect of organics. The microstructure of portlandite suspensions was studied using TEM and FESEM and related to its rheological properties, which are crucial for the final performance as a binder in a mortar, as well as their evolution with aging and changes induced by the presence of organics.