| Carbon Dioxide Capture in Recycled Concrete: Toward Sustainable Calcium Carbonate-Based Construction |
| Paper ID : 1041-ISCH |
| Authors |
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Amr Sayed Mohamed Meawad * Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Ain Helwan |
| Abstract |
| The construction industry is responsible for a significant share of global CO₂ emissions, largely due to cement production and the disposal of construction and demolition waste (CDW). Innovative solutions that simultaneously mitigate emissions and valorize waste are urgently required to address the challenges of climate change. This study investigates the potential of recycled concrete as a medium for carbon dioxide capture through accelerated carbonation, leading to the formation of calcium carbonate-based sustainable construction materials. Recycled concrete aggregates and hardened cement paste were subjected to controlled carbonation processes, enabling the mineralization of CO₂ into stable calcium carbonate phases. This not only provides a permanent and safe storage pathway for CO₂ but also improves the physicochemical properties of the recycled material. Advanced characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were employed to study the mineralogical transformations and microstructural evolution during carbonation. The results demonstrated substantial CO₂ uptake and the stabilization of carbonate phases, yielding enhanced durability and strength in the recycled concrete. The presentation will highlight the mechanisms of CO₂ fixation, the role of calcium-bearing phases, and the feasibility of scaling this approach for industrial application. By integrating carbon capture with concrete recycling, this method offers a promising pathway toward circular economy practices and climate-resilient, low-carbon construction. |
| Keywords |
| Carbon dioxide capture; Recycled concrete aggregates; Calcium carbonate concrete; Sustainable construction materials. |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation) |