Magnesium-based glasses prepared by sol-gel processing for use as supplementary cementitious materials

The production of traditional cement releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), contributing significantly to climate change. To reduce these emissions, researchers have been looking for alternative materials that can partially replace the cement component known as clinker. However, many of the commonly used substitutes, like coal fly ash or blast furnace slag, are becoming less available. This has led to a growing need for new, sustainable options.
This thesis explores the potential of using specially designed glass materials as a new type of cement substitute. These glasses are made using magnesium (Mg) and other elements, such as iron (Fe), through a chemical process called sol-gel synthesis. By adjusting the ingredients and processing methods, the properties of the glass can be tuned to react effectively in cement, which helps improve the final strength and durability of the material.
Three main research paths were taken: first, studying how different amounts of Mg affect the glass's behavior; second, adding iron (Fe) to see how it changes the reactivity; and third, testing how these glasses perform when actually used in cement mixtures.
The results showed that these Mg-based glasses dissolved easily in water, reacted well with cement, and even outperformed traditional substitute materials in some cases. When Fe was added, especially in a specific chemical form, the glass became even more effective. Cement-glass mixed mortars made with these synthetic glasses showed strong mechanical properties, and microscopic analysis showed favorable changes in the internal structure of the cement.
Overall, the research demonstrates a promising new way to reduce CO2 emissions from cement production by using custom-made glass materials that can be tailored for sustainability and performance.