The production of cement leads to colossal amounts of CO₂ emissions, however, research has shown that cement can reabsorb CO₂ from the atmosphere. Based on this, Rune Wittendorff Mønster Jensen has examined the structure of individual components of cement, when reacted with CO₂ and water. By utilizing MRI-adjacent equipment, he has shown that the calcium-content of the central components of the cement is inconsequential for the structure of the sample post reaction with CO₂. Furthermore, he has successfully  managed to react an aluminum containing component with CO₂ - a feat hitherto unseen in previous studies.

The findings of the research will benefit future attempts at creating environmentally friendly cement, where CO₂ can be used for hardening.

The PhD degree was completed at Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Thursday May 1, 2025 at 13:15 - 16:00
Place: Building 1514, room 213, Auditorium 1, Department of Chemistry, Langelandsgade 140, Aarhus Universitet, 8000 Aarhus C..
Title of PhD thesis: Carbonation of cementitious constituents - A solid-state NMR based analysis
Contact information: Rune Wittendorff Mønster Jensen, e-mail: rwmj@chem.au.dk, tel.: +4527629513
Members of the assessment committee:
PhD, Dr. Daniel Jansen, Lehrstuhl für Mineralogie, GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Germany.
Professor Michael Ryan Hansen, Institut für Physicaliche Chemie, University of Münster, Germany.
Professor Niels Christian Nielsen (chair), iNANO, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Main supervisor: Professor Jørgen Bengaard Skibsted, Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.