CO₂-injected cement paste: insights into microstructural and chemo-mechanical changes
In this paper, you will learn:
- How CO₂ injection during mixing influences cement hydration and contributes to strength enhancement in hardened paste.
- The microstructural and chemical transformations that occur through CO₂ mineralization, including the formation of nanoscale calcium carbonate within the cement matrix.
- Quantitative evidence linking CO₂ mineralization to reduced Ca/Si ratios in C-S-H and measurable densification of the paste microstructure.
- Experimental results showing increased indentation and elastic moduli, confirming reinforcement of high-density C-S-H phases by fine carbonate precipitates.
- How these nanoscale and microscale changes explain the observed improvements in bulk mechanical performance and provide a mechanistic basis for strength gains in CO₂-treated concrete.
