MinSurf: Advanced modification and characterization of the mineral residue surface-liquid interface
Funders
Project information
Project duration
-
Funded by
Research Council of Finland - Academy Project
Funding amount
759 107 EUR
Project coordinator
University of Oulu
Unit and faculty
Contact information
Project leader
- Associate Professor (Tenure track)
Project description
Humankind produces vast amount of mineral residues such as slags from metallurgical industry, ashes, and mine tailings. Residues consist mainly of elements silicon, aluminium, calcium, iron, and magnesium. These elements can – in appropriate conditions – react similarly as cement as binder in concrete. The utilization of residues as binder in concrete would drastically decrease CO2 emissions and save virgin raw materials. Unfortunately, most of the residues are not directly utilizable as binder due their low reactivity i.e. solubility.
In this project dissolution and precipitation reactions occurring at the interphase of the residues is investigated. By controlling dissolution and precipitation reactions it is possible to increase the solubility of residues and accelerate the formation of the binder. Synchrotron-based characterization methods are used to investigate the interphase reactions on nanoscale.
Collaboration with Dr. John Provis from Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, and Professors Minna Patanen, Ville-Veikko Telkki, and Paivo Kinnunen from University of Oulu.