Bioinspired Lignin-Aluminosilicate Composite for CO₂ Storage

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Green Chemistry
• Sustainable Construction

Background:

• Cement production is a major source of CO2 emissions due to calcination and high temperatures.
• Developing carbon-neutral construction materials is crucial for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries.
• Alternative methods avoiding calcium oxide chemistry and sintering are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a new method for preparing sustainable construction materials.
• To utilize nature-abundant resources like kaolinite clay and Kraft lignin.
• To achieve carbon neutrality in the construction industry.

Main Methods:

• Kaolinite clay was strengthened with Kraft lignin at 100 °C.
• Electrostatic interactions between lignin and kaolinite were leveraged.
• Kaolinite and smectite were used together for enhanced properties.
• High-pressure CO2 treatment at room temperature was employed for carbon capture.

Main Results:

• A lignin-aluminosilicate composite with compressive strengths up to 20 MPa was produced.
• The composite demonstrated the ability to store up to 10 g of CO2 per 1 kg.
• The method's scalability was proven through the fabrication of real-sized bricks and artworks.

Conclusions:

• A low-temperature method for creating strong, carbon-storing construction materials from abundant resources has been established.
• This approach offers a promising pathway towards a carbon-negative construction industry.
• The developed material contributes to sustainable building practices and industrial decarbonization.