Unlocking the role of recycled aggregates in the performance enhancement and CO2 capture of reactive magnesia cement formulations

The use of recycled aggregates (RCAs) could further enhance the sustainability of reactive magnesia cement (RMC) formulations, but the performances of RMC-RCA are still unknown to researchers. Therefore, in this study, the strength development of CO2-cured RMC-RCA was explored for the first time, and the strength variation among groups was further interpreted by microstructural analyses. The initial results show that compared with samples with natural aggregates (NAs), a 28 d strength boost (i.e., 37 vs. 15 MPa) in RMC-RCA can be observed. The strength improved in RMC-RCA could be related to its refined microstructures, ITZs and larger carbonation depths, which resulted from the easiness of CO2 penetration within samples. Then the presence of porous ITZs in RCA contributes to better CO2 diffusion, as described in the proposed revised CO2 diffusion model. Overall, while enabling a pronounced CO2 capture potential of RMC concrete, this preliminary study could pave the path for the upcycling of RCAs in RMC concrete on a large scale.