Fundamental Characteristics of Carbon-Capturing and Sequestering Activated Blast-Furnace Slag Mortar

PURPOSES: To investigate the fundamental characteristics of blast-furnace slag mortar that was hardened with activating chemicals to capture and sequester carbon dioxide. METHODS: Various mix proportions were considered to find an appropriate stregnth development in regards with various dosages of activating chemicals, calcium hydroxides and sodium silicates, and curing conditions, air-dried, wet and underwater conditions. Flow characteristics was investigated and setting time of the mortar was measured. At different ages of 3, 7 and 28days, strength development was investigated for all the mix variables. At each age, samples were analyzed with XRD. RESULTS: The measured flow values showed the mortar lost its flowability as the activating chemicals amount increased in the scale of mole concentration. The setting time of the mortar was relatively shorter than OPC mortar but the initial curing condition was important, such as temperature. The amount of activating chemicals was found not to be critical in the sense of setting time. The strength increased with the increased amount of chemicals. The XRD analysis results showed that portlandite peaks reduced and clacite increased as the age increased. This may mean the Ca(OH)2 keeps absorbing CO2 in the air during curing period. CONCLUSIONS: The carbon capturing and sequestering activated blast-furnace slag mortar showed successful strength gain to be used fo