JOURNAL: The effects of NaOH addition on the mechanochemical pre-treatment of wollastonite and their performances as carbonated mineral product
Summary
Authors:
Vahiddin Alperen Baki
Lorena Skevi
Xinyuan Ke
University of Bath
Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
June 2025
This study examines the potential of wollastonite—a mineral found in a wide range of industrial mineral waste streams —for use in sustainable cement production. It investigates how wollastonite can support both CO2 sequestration and the reuse of mineral by-products. The research examines a dry, solvent-free grinding process known as mechanochemical activation, assessing its impact on the mineral’s CO2 absorption capacity. The study also examines the effects of adding sodium hydroxide (NaOH) during pre-treatment, finding that while NaOH improves short-term CO2 uptake, it reduces overall long-term efficiency. The best results were achieved without NaOH, producing a carbonated material with promising strength as a partial cement replacement and potential for low-carbon construction.