This new concrete is stronger and pulls CO2 from the air

Researchers at Mepco Schlenk Engineering College in India developed the mixture as a possible way to make construction materials more sustainable. Their approach targets a major environmental challenge: rising atmospheric CO2 levels driven in large part by fossil fuel use and cement production. The team, led by Srinivasan Revathi, focused on two natural additives. One was zeolite, a highly porous mineral, and the other was bamboo biochar, a carbon-rich material. Both have large pore volumes and high specific surface areas, properties that make them well suited for trapping gas molecules.

The findings point toward a possible new approach to developing carbon-neutral construction materials. Concrete made with the ZB5 formulation could be especially useful in locations where CO2 concentrations are relatively high. Potential applications include concrete pavements, highway parapet walls, and sewer pipelines. These structures could continue serving their traditional engineering functions while also capturing some carbon dioxide from their surroundings. The researchers caution, however, that the work is still a proof of concept and that additional testing will be necessary before the material can be widely adopted.

Future studies will examine how the concrete performs over longer periods, including whether it maintains its durability and ability to absorb CO2. The researchers also plan to test other forms of biochar, evaluate the mixture in different grades of concrete and mortar, and study whether pre-soaked biochar can further improve its performance.

Source: Science Daily