Work

Bioinspired calcium carbonate binders via synergistic crystallization control of amorphous calcium carbonate using poly aspartic acid and magnesium ions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Inspired by the biomineralization process, amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) can be served as a precursor for fabricating calcium carbonate based cementitious materials. This study presents a biomimetic approach to prepare a novel calcium carbonate binder through controlled ACC crystallization using poly aspartic acid (pAsp) and magnesium ions (Mg 2+ ) as an organic-inorganic binary system. The results indicate that the pAsp-Mg 2+ binary additives substantially improve ACC stability, prolonging its lifetime from 1 day to 3 days. This extended stabilization enables controlled crystallization of ACC characterized by the formation of fibrous crystals (at 3 days), followed by vaterite and Mg-calcite phases (at 7–14 days) with progressive crystal refinement. Compared to unmodified systems, the modified CaCO 3 binder achieves a 107.65 % increase in compressive strength alongside improved microscale mechanical properties and reduced porosity. This study establishes a biomimetic route to designing calcium carbonate-based cementitious materials through modifying ACC crystallization kinetics using synergistic organic–inorganic modifiers. This finding demonstrates the potential of calcium carbonate as a sustainable binder, which provides a promising pathway to develop low-carbon or even carbon-negative concrete. • pAsp and Mg 2 + stabilize ACC from 1 to 3 days enabling controlled crystallization. • ACC transforms to fibrous crystals at 3 days followed by vaterite and Mg-calcite. • The modified CaCO 3 binder achieves a 107.7 % increase in compressive strength. • Improved hardness and elastic modulus with crystal refinement for CaCO 3 binder. • The synergistic regulation enables a low carbon route for calcium carbonate binders.

Source: Construction and Building Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.144924

Authors: Jiayu Huang, Yuxuan Chen, Qingliang Yu

Institutions: Wuhan University, Eindhoven University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Calcium Carbonate Crystallization and Inhibition

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,540