Carbonation Curing of Cement-Based Materials: A Pathway to Enhanced Properties and Carbon Dioxide Sequestration

Carbonation curing has emerged as a promising strategy to mitigate environmental impacts by simultaneously enhancing the mechanical performance of construction materials and enabling permanent carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration. This analysis investigates the reaction mechanisms between CO₂ and cement clinker phases, alongside the influence of key process parameters governing carbonation. Primary emphasis is placed on microstructural evolution—including phase assemblage (calcite, aragonite, and calcium–silicate–hydrate (C–S–H)) and micromechanical properties. Findings indicate that optimized carbonation curing can increase one-day compressive strength by over ۱۰۰%, achieving approximately ۹۲% of the ۲۸-day strength of conventionally cured concrete. Concurrently, durability is significantly improved: chloride ion ingress is reduced by ۲۷–۸۵%, freeze–thaw resistance is enhanced, and sulfate and corrosion resistance are markedly improved. Nevertheless, the process demands stringent control of curing conditions; excessive carbonation damages the C–S–H structure and inhibits further hydration. Collectively, these results demonstrate that early-age carbonation curing functions not merely as a curing technique, but as a microstructure-engineering strategy that synergistically integrates industrial efficiency with deep decarbonization. This study underscores the necessity for multivariate optimization, rigorous validation of long-term durability and mechanical performance, and standardization to enable reliable implementation in the construction industry.

کلیدواژه ها:

Carbonation curing ، CO₂ utilization ، cement microstructure ، early-age strength ، durability ، sustainable concrete