Assessment Of Nucleation-Induced Carbonation in Reactive Mgo Cement Via Mechanical, Thermal, Spectroscopic and Microstructural Techniques

• Grant number: 25/11339-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: November 28, 2025
• End date: November 27, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Construction Industry
• Principal Investigator: Holmer Savastano Junior
• Grantee: Adriano Galvão de Souza Azevedo
• Supervisor: Cise Unluer
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Manchester, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/02445-4 - Use of nucleation seeds to enhance CO2 capture and mineralization from the sugar and ethanol industry in low-carb fiber-cement, BP.PD

Abstract

This project proposes an innovative investigation into the strategic use of nucleation seeds (magnesite and hydromagnesite) to optimize the hydration and carbonation kinetics in reactive MgO-based cements, aiming to significantly enhance CO¿ capture and mineralization rates. The study combines advanced experimental approaches and microstructural characterization to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms by which nucleation seeds promote: (i) accelerated formation of hydrated magnesium carbonates (HMCs), (ii) matrix densification, and (iii) mechanical property enhancement. During the research period at the University of Manchester, pioneering high-resolution micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) analyses (2-5 ¿m voxel size) will be conducted to three-dimensionally quantify pore evolution, phase distribution, and real-time carbonation progression. These data will be correlated with isothermal calorimetry (reaction kinetics monitoring), Raman/FTIR spectroscopy (molecular phase identification), and SEM/EDS (morpho-compositional analysis). This integrated multi-technique approach will establish quantitative structure-property relationships between microstructure, carbonation efficiency, and mechanical performance.The findings will be directly applied to develop plant fiber-reinforced cementitious composites optimized for maximum CO¿ capture, with projected sequestration exceeding 100 kg/m³. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis will assess the feasibility of utilizing CO¿ from Brazilian sugarcane industry (¿956 kg CO¿/ton ethanol) for accelerated carbonation of these low-carbon materials. This research promises significant scientific impact through fundamental advances in understanding heterogeneous nucleation mechanisms in MgO cements, with high-impact publications expected. The technological innovation will enable development of CO¿-sequestering composites for sustainable construction, while the industrial impact will be realized through a proposed circular economy model integrating bioethanol production with decarbonized building materials. The collaboration with Prof. Cise Unluer's group (world leader in cement carbonation) provides access to cutting-edge methodologies, positioning Brazil at the forefront of sustainable construction materials research. The outcomes will directly support national bioeconomy policies and carbon neutrality commitments through practical industrial applications. (AU)