Objective To provide a theoretical chemical grafting method for substitution of the traditional physical adsorption method, and improve the workability of the artificial sand microfines in the cement. Methods After reaction with 3-methacrylo-xypropyltrimethoxysilane and graft with poly (acrylic acid) and poly (methoxy poly (ethylene glycols) methacrylate), the artificial sand was turned into the new artificial sand particles. Structure properties of the modified artificial sand particles were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The synthesized composites were mixed into cement by different proportions and the fluidity and stability of the composited material with cement was investigated by neat paste test. Results The fluidity and stability of the surface-modified artificial sand microfines / cement paste was better than those of pristine artificial sand microfines / cement paste. Conclusion The results revealed that the surface-modified artificial sand microfines can significantly improve the workability and the durability of concrete. This study had certainly practical significance in theoretical study of cement-based composites.