Nano-Engineered aluminosilicate cementitious materials
The project “Nano-Engineered Aluminosilicate Cementitious Materials” (NEASCMs) is designed for training the fellow by preparing low-carbon cementitious binders for sustainable construction and solidification/stabilization, S/S. Effects of nanoengineering on the regulation of the hydration and hardening processes of aluminosilicate-based cementitious binders for sustainable constructions, as well as its roles on the solidification/stabilization of aluminosilicate-based grains/wastes for environmental protection will be explored. Nanoengineering will be utilized for preparing low-carbon cementitious materials containing of different sources of Aluminosilicates, Carbonates and Sulfates (ACS) binders for sustainable construction. The hydration kinetics and performance of ACS binders will be tailored through the optimization of a combination of cement and minor ions (such as Mg, Fe, Cl). The mechanical properties and durability will be systematically studied for evaluation of performance. Secondly, effects of nanoengineering on S/S of typical aluminosilicate-based grains/wastes for environmental protection will be investigated. Solidification/stabilization using nanoengineered aluminosilicates will be studied and modelled thermodynamically. Cases such as solidification/stabilization of soil/construction wastes, mining wastes will be researched, and the environment features, such as the solidification capability, the leachability of the wastes will be investigated through mechanical testing and sequential extraction procedures (SEP), etc. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) will be used for a comprehensive understanding of the sustainability of the production and utilization of the new binders, baselined against Portland cement by taking the transportation, production, usage, and recycling stages into consideration. This project will shed a light on the preparation of low-carbon cementitious binders featuring great intellectual merits and broad engineering implications.