Mechanical and Microstructural Performance of Cement Mortars with Internal Carbonation and Sustainable Additives

Daria Jóźwiak-Niedźwiedzka; Paweł Lisowski; Magdalena Osial; Aneta Brachaczek; Dariusz Alterman; Alessandro P. Fantilli

doi:10.3390/ceramics8040140

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Mechanical and Microstructural Performance of Cement Mortars with Internal Carbonation and Sustainable Additives

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Mechanical and Microstructural Performance of Cement Mortars with Internal Carbonation and Sustainable Additives

Daria Jóźwiak-Niedźwiedzka, Paweł Lisowski, Magdalena Osial, Aneta Brachaczek, Dariusz Alterman and Alessandro P. Fantilli

Ceramics, Vol.8(4), pp.1-19

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics8040140

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Abstract

internal carbonation

calcined clay

sheep wool fiber reinforcement

CO2 uptake in cementitious systems

microstructural densification

This study investigates a comprehensive study on the mechanical and microstructural behavior of cementitious mortars modified with a combination of internal carbonation (via solid CO2), calcined clay as a ceramic pozzolanic additive, and bio-based sheep wool fibers. The investigation aimed to explore sustainable routes for enhancing mortar performance while reducing the environmental impact of cement production. A series of mortars incorporating various combinations of dry ice, calcined clay, and wool fibers was prepared and tested to evaluate compressive and flexural strength, porosity, pore size distribution, phase composition, and microstructural morphology. Results demonstrated that internal carbonation significantly promoted matrix densification and compressive strength, increasing fc by approximately 8% compared to the reference. The addition of calcined clay further improved microstructural compactness, reducing total pore volume by 12%, while the incorporation of wool fibers enhanced post-cracking toughness by over 40% despite a 15–30% decrease in compressive strength. SEM and TGA confirmed the formation of calcite and reduced portlandite content, consistent with carbonation and pozzolanic reactions. The findings underscore the potential and limitations of multicomponent eco-modified cement mortars. Optimizing the balance between internal carbonation, pozzolanic reaction, and fiber stability is a key to developing next-generation low-carbon composites suitable for durable and resilient construction applications.

Details

Title: Mechanical and Microstructural Performance of Cement Mortars with Internal Carbonation and Sustainable Additives
Authors: Daria Jóźwiak-Niedźwiedzka (Corresponding Author) - Polish Academy of Sciences
Paweł Lisowski - Polish Academy of Sciences
Magdalena Osial - Polish Academy of Sciences
Aneta Brachaczek - Institute of Fundamental Technological Research
Dariusz Alterman - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Alessandro P. Fantilli (Corresponding Author) - Politecnico di Torino
Publication details: Ceramics, Vol.8(4), pp.1-19
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.3390/ceramics8040140
ISSN: 2571-6131
Copyright note: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Data Availability: Data will be made available on request.
Organisation Unit: School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991192344002621
Output Type: Journal article

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