Composite Binder Containing Industrial By-Products (FCCCw and PSw) and Nano SiO₂

This article analyzes the integrated effect of industrial by-products (spent fluidized bed catalytic cracking catalyst waste (FCCCw) and paper sludge waste (PSw) generated in paper manufacturing) combined with nano-SiO₂ (NS) on the properties of cement binder, when a certain part of the binder is replaced with the said by-products in the cement mix. Standard testing methods were used to analyze the physical and mechanical properties of cement-based materials. For structure analysis, we used X-ray diffraction (XRD), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the replacement of cement by a combined additive of FCCCw, PSw and NS is important not only for ecological reasons (abatement of CO₂ emissions and recovery of waste through secondary raw materials), but also in order to enhance the properties of cement-based binders. Presumably, higher amounts of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) and calcium alumina silicate hydrate (CASH) in the compound binder are the result of the low content of portlandite and alite in the test specimens. The specimens modified with all three additives had the highest density (~2100 kg/m³), ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) (~4160 m/s) and compressive strength (~105 MPa), which was ~40% higher than in the control specimens. The average pore diameter of the complex binder decreased by 21%, whereas the median pore diameter decreased by 47%.