Rietveld refinement for Sr(Ba)-bearing ye'elimite

Ye'elimite-containing cements are of growing research interest owing to their characteristic properties. Strontium (barium) (Sr(Ba))-bearing ye'elimite is synthesised by the substitution of Sr²⁺(Ba²⁺) ions for Ca²⁺ ions in ye'elimite. Here, Rietveld refinement for Sr(Ba)-ye'elimite is reported. The effect of strontic and baric substitutions on the crystal system of ye'elimite is analysed. Additionally, the crystalline phases and potential ACn (amorphous and non-quantified crystalline phase) contents, in clinkers containing Sr(Ba)-ye'elimite, are determined. As substitutions increase, the crystal system of Sr-bearing ye'elimite transforms from an orthorhombic system to a cubic system, but Ba-bearing ye'elimite remains cubic throughout the process. In the clinkers, the Sr-bearing ye'elimite reaches 97% (wt%) and the Ba-bearing ye'elimite is greater than 94% (wt%), with insignificant amounts of amorphous and non-quantified crystalline phase (ACn) contents. With a higher degree of substitutions, the lattice parameters of Sr(Ba)-bearing ye'elimite exhibit linear growth trends.