Effect of CO2 curing on phase compositions of nano silica blended cementitious mortar partially replaced with carbonated recycled fine aggregates

Abstract

This manuscript examines the quantification of CO<inf>2</inf> uptake, hydration and carbonation phases such as calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)<inf>2</inf>, CH), calcium carbonate (CaCO<inf>3</inf>, CC), magnesite (MgCO<inf>3</inf>), hydromagnesite (MgCO<inf>3</inf>.Mg(OH)<inf>2</inf>.4H<inf>2</inf>O, Hmgs), siderite (FeCO<inf>3</inf>) and subsequent carbonation and hydration degrees (CD, HD) in cementitious mortar (CM) incorporating colloidal nano silica (CNS) and carbonated and uncarbonated recycled concrete fine aggregates (RCF) subjected to accelerated carbonation curing (carbonated RCF- CRCF, Non-carbonated RCF- NCRCF). The RCF was prepared through multi cycle jaw crushing technology followed by repeated abrasion cycles and subsequently treated using accelerated carbonation. The mass loss resulting from the breakdown of these compounds at specific temperature ranges (220–350 °C for Hmgs, 250–400 °C for FeCO<inf>3</inf>, 400–500 °C for CH, 460–900 °C for MgCO<inf>3</inf>, and 600–800 °C for CC and CO<inf>2</inf>) was calculated using a thermogravimetric (TG) analyzer. The main findings of this research work confirms the presence of vaterite, calcite, tobermorite (Ca<inf>2.25</inf>[Si<inf>3</inf>O<inf>7.5</inf>(OH)<inf>1.5</inf>].8H<inf>2</inf>O or CSH gel), and magnesite polymorphs for CM incorporating 6–9 % CRCF and 1 % CNS as validated by the increased areas of peaks from fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis at 714 cm?1, 875 cm?1, 1007 cm?1, and 1405 cm?1, respectively which is further recognized by the increased peak intensities in X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The important findings from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the development of additional C-S-H and calcite phases filling the pores and densifying the matrix in CRN mixes while the Ca/Si atomic ratio significantly decreased up to 67 % for CRN-19 mix as found by the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX). The fresh and hardened state properties of blended mixes highlight the increase in dry density and compressive strength that are found maximum for CRN-19 mix of 57.9 MPa at 28 days owing to the highest rate of strength contribution of 27.95 % from the mix components such as 9 % CRCF and 1 % CNS. However, the flowability is observed to get reduced for all the mixes with CRN-13 mix illustrating approximately 83 % flow values with reference to the control mix. Furthermore, the durability performance of CRCF based primary mixes and all the secondary blends are found to show lowest ingress of chloride ions and permeable porosity values, illustrating up to 73 % and 39 % fall respectively to that of control mix at 28 and 56 days cured samples. Based on the comprehensive investigation and analysis, it is recommended to use pre-carbonated RCF and CNS for developing sustainable CM and achieving CO<inf>2</inf> sequestration. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd