Abstract

Significance　The rising concentrations of greenhouse gases have intensified global warming， posing a significant challenge to human society. Carbon sequestration and utilization within the building materials sector are crucial for achieving China’s dual carbon goals. CO2 mineralization and sequestration are vital components of carbon emission reduction technologies， with CO₂ foam concrete （CFC） demonstrating substantial potential for large-scale CO2 sequestration. With the implementation of national energy conservation and emission reduction policies， CFC， as an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly material， offers advantages such as lightweight properties， fire resistance， and thermal insulation. Consequently， it is poised to play a significant role in construction， municipal infrastructure， tunnels， bridges， and related fields. Furthermore， the comprehensive utilization of coal-based solid waste and power plant flue gas CO2 is essential for coal-based power enterprises to achieve green， low-carbon， and circular development. This approach facilitates the resource utilization of coal-based solid waste， CO₂ mineralization and storage from power plants， mine water recycling， and underground filling for disaster management.

Progress　1） Ordinary Portland cement is rarely used in CFC production. Instead， solid waste serves as a partial replacement for cementitious materials， representing a key development direction. The combination of CO₂-soluble surfactants and nanoparticles is the preferred approach for CFC blowing agents. Currently， pre-foaming is the most widely employed preparation process for CFC. 2） CO₂ mineralization is a primary factor influencing the stability of CFC foam. The mineralization process encompasses the stages of mixing CO₂ with concrete， foaming， and concrete hardening. The growth mechanism of CO₂ bubbles is complex and warrants investigation using simulation， visualization， and other technical methods. 3） Within the CFC system， CO₂ preferentially reacts with the hydration product Ca（OH）₂. The resultant products adhere to the surfaces of both Ca（OH）₂ and C₃S， leading to a gradual weakening of carbonization and hydration. Simultaneously， C₂S participates in the carbonation reaction， with mineralization directly causing a significant number of CO₂ foam ruptures， thereby diminishing the foaming effect. 4） The carbon sequestration potential of CFC is substantial， primarily manifested in the carbonation and carbon sequestration of the concrete skeleton， as well as the carbon storage within bubble pores. Among these factors， the carbonation and carbon sequestration of the concrete skeleton play a predominant role. Utilizing solid waste materials， such as waste concrete powder， fly ash，and slag， as substitutes for cementitious materials is crucial to reducing the environmental impact of CFC production. Furthermore， industrial waste gases from power generation and metallurgy should serve as the primary sources of CO2.

Conclusions and Prospects The future development directions of CFC are outlined as follows： 1） The incorporation of industrial solid waste into CFC production represents a significant strategy for enhancing its economic viability. CFC demonstrates potential for large-scale CO₂ storage. However， energy consumption and economic efficiency remain unresolved issues. Fly ash，slag， coal gangue， and steel slag are commonly used as admixtures in CFC formulations. These materials not only enhance the performance of foam concrete but also address solid waste management challenges. Additionally， they improve the economic value of CFC while facilitating its widespread adoption. 2） CO₂ derived from industrial processes such as power generation and metallurgy should be considered as primary foaming gas sources for CFC. Currently， CO₂ is obtained through high-value chemical reagents or compressed gas， resulting in elevated economic costs that hinder the promotion and application of CFC technology. In contrast， thermal power plants and metallurgical industries generate abundant CO₂ emissions， often treating these emissions as pollutants. Consequently， integrating CFC production into such industrial sites offers both economic and environmental

advantages. 3） Research on CFC should prioritize improving its carbon sequestration capacity and foam stability. The current mineralization rate of CO₂ in concrete is relatively low due to limitations in CO₂ diffusion， which primarily occurs within the surface and shallow layers of concrete. Implementing three-dimensional curing methods can address this issue by promoting deeper CO₂ penetration and enhancing foam retention. Further studies should focus on understanding CFC’s cellular structure， carbon sequestration mechanisms， and modification techniques at a microscopic level to optimize its performance.

Keywords： foam concrete； carbon dioxide； carbon sequestration and storage； mineralization

Get Citation: ZHANG Yuan， WU Dong， TA Xupeng²， et al. Research status and progress of carbon dioxide foam concrete［J］. China Powder Science and Technology， 2025， 31（6）： 1−15.

Received: 2025-01-13 .Revised: 2025-02-15 ,Online: 2025-05-27

Funding Project: 国家自然科学基金项目，编号 ：52074266。

First Author: 张源（1985—），男，副教授，博士，博士生导师，研究方向为CO₂矿化封存与利用。E-mail：5469@cumt. edu. cn。

DOI：10.13732/j.issn.1008-5548.2025.06.002

CLC No:TU55+1.33         Type Code: A

Serial No: 1008-5548（2025）06-0001-15