Advancement in Raman spectroscopy (RS) for characterizing cementitious materials

Raman spectroscopy (RS) has attracted significant attention for the analysis of cementitious materials owing to its remarkable spatial and spectral resolution, which enable the precise investigation of chemical bonds, mineral phases, and microstructures. This review focuses on applications of RS for characterizing cement clinker compositions, monitoring hydration processes, and detecting durability issues, with a particular focus on advancements in quantitative analysis and imaging techniques in recent years. The featured Raman vibration bands are summarized, which are useful for the identification of calcium silicate-related substances. The current technical limitations of RS for investigating cementitious materials are discussed, and potential approaches to overcome these limitations are proposed. The technological innovations in RS will further enhance its efficacy and applicability for investigations of cementitious materials, thus facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the life cycle of cement across various scales of interest.