During her PhD studies, Jiayi Song’s research has focused on enforced carbonation of cement-based materials, with special attention on the unique alumina-silica gel formed by this process. This gel, produced along with calcium carbonate in carbonated recycled cement pastes, has an amorphous structure and a variable Al/Si ratio as revealed by the present study. Jiayi Song’s research utilizes solid-state NMR spectroscopy as the main characterization technique. For example, this method is used to explore the pozzolanic properties, composition and microstructure of the alumina-silica gel. Additionally, her work addresses a critical gap by developing a thermodynamic model for this gel, which can be used in simulations of long-term carbonation processes.

The PhD research improves our knowledge on enforced carbonation methods and the prospect of carbonation technologies for industrial applications. Overall, this contributes to low-carbon infrastructure solutions.

The PhD study was completed at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday, 29 November 2024 at 9:00 - 12:00
Place: Building 1514, room 115, Aud III, Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C.
Title of PhD thesis: Carbonation of Cement-Based Materials: Insights about the Amorphous Alumina-Silica Gel
Contact information: Jiayi Song, e-mail: jiayi_song@chem.au.dk, tel.: +45 52700959.
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Alisa Machner, Centre for Building Materials, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, Germany.
Professor Michael Ryan Hansen, Institut für Physicaliche Chemie, University of Münster, Germany.
Associate Professor Marianne Glasius (chair), Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor:
Professor Jørgen Skibsted, Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Denmark
Co-supervisor:
Dr. Maciej Zajac, Global R&D Heidelberg Materials, Germany
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defense is public. Contact Jiayi Song by e-mail: jiayi_song@chem.au.dk, for a virtual link to the PhD defense.

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