New Concrete Can Absorb CO2 and Get Stronger

Topic: Environment

Engineers in India created a new type of concrete that captures carbon dioxide from the air while getting stronger. The team used natural materials like zeolite and bamboo biochar to make this happen.

Engineers have developed a new kind of concrete that can capture CO2 from the atmosphere while also becoming stronger. This breakthrough was made by researchers at Mepco Schlenk Engineering College in India.

The team, led by Srinivasan Revathi, used two natural materials to make this special concrete: zeolite and bamboo biochar. Zeolite is a highly porous mineral that can trap gas molecules, while bamboo biochar is a carbon-rich material that helps absorb CO2.

To test their new concrete mix, the researchers created several versions of M35 grade concrete, which is commonly used in infrastructure projects. They replaced fine aggregate with zeolite at levels of 25% and 50%, and substituted bamboo biochar for cement at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%. Each formulation was tested for its strength properties, including compressive strength, split tensile strength, water absorption, and impact resistance.

The researchers were looking for a mix that could absorb more CO2 without weakening the concrete. Ideally, they wanted the material to become stronger at the same time. One combination stood out from the rest: the mix containing 50% zeolite and 1% bamboo biochar (dubbed ZB5). This mix delivered the best overall performance, with a compressive strength of 38.49 MPa, about 7.48% higher than conventional concrete.

But that's not all - the ZB5 mixture also demonstrated an ability to absorb carbon dioxide. When placed inside a carbonation chamber, it captured 1.2 grams of CO2 per day. Over seven days, the gas penetrated 15 mm into the material.

Why It Matters

This new concrete can help reduce CO2 levels in cities and industrial areas, making our environment cleaner and healthier. It's especially useful for construction projects in high-emission zones like urban roadways and industrial zones.

Key Facts

• Engineers at Mepco Schlenk Engineering College in India created a new type of concrete that captures CO2 from the air while getting stronger.
• The team used zeolite, a highly porous mineral, and bamboo biochar, a carbon-rich material, to make this special concrete.
• The ZB5 mixture, containing 50% zeolite and 1% bamboo biochar, delivered the best overall performance in strength tests.
• This new concrete can absorb up to 1.2 grams of CO2 per day and has a compressive strength of 38.49 MPa.
• The researchers hope to use this new concrete in construction projects in high-emission zones like urban roadways and industrial zones.

Key Terms

Zeolite

A highly porous mineral that can trap gas molecules

Bamboo Biochar

A carbon-rich material that helps absorb CO2

Implications

This new concrete can help reduce CO2 levels in cities and industrial areas, making our environment cleaner and healthier. It's especially useful for construction projects in high-emission zones like urban roadways and industrial zones.