Academic Journal

Temperature-regulated ammonium carbonate curing of steel slag: Enhanced carbonation, strength, and CO2 mineralization for sustainable building materials

Bibliographic Details
Title: Temperature-regulated ammonium carbonate curing of steel slag: Enhanced carbonation, strength, and CO2 mineralization for sustainable building materials
Authors: Ziping Pan, Jiajie Li, Xingtong Yue, Zeping Wu, Dongdong Zhang, Yingxi Hu, Wen Ni, Michael Hitch
Source: Journal of Materials Research and Technology, Vol 38, Iss, Pp 893-904 (2025)
Publisher Information: Elsevier BV, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Subject Terms: Mining engineering. Metallurgy, TN1-997, Compressive strength, Ammonium carbonate curing, CO2 mineralization, Steel slag carbonation, Curing temperature, Sustainable building materials
Description: This study systematically examines the effects of temperature on the carbonation consolidation of steel slag in ammonium carbonate solution, aiming to develop sustainable building materials and improve CO2 mineralization efficiency. By exposing steel slag compacts to curing temperatures of 20 °C, 40 °C, and 60 °C, the research shows that higher temperatures significantly enhance both the compressive strength and carbonation conversion of the material. Specifically, the 60 °C curing group achieved a peak compressive strength of 118.38 MPa, which is 114 % greater than at 20 °C, emphasizing the vital role of temperature in speeding up reaction kinetics and fostering the formation of strong carbonation-hydration products. Comprehensive characterizations—including uniaxial compression, total carbon analysis, XRD, TG-DTG, FT-IR, and SEM—indicate that higher temperatures promote Ca2+ dissolution, increase calcium carbonate crystallinity, and encourage the development of denser microstructures. The addition of ammonium carbonate not only aids mass transfer and Ca2+ extraction but also introduces a new mineralization pathway involving carbamate ions. These findings offer a theoretical and experimental basis for optimizing the carbonation process of steel slag, advancing its use as an eco-friendly construction material with significant CO2 sequestration potential.
Document Type: Article
Language: English
ISSN: 2238-7854
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2025.07.264
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/a62d0e0f4bbb4b0b8618265eff9aa6ed
Rights: CC BY NC ND
Accession Number: edsair.doi.dedup.....3a20eb5082c87ddf9744541581a192db
Database: OpenAIRE
Description
ISSN:22387854
DOI:10.1016/j.jmrt.2025.07.264