Concrete is the most used artificial material in the world, with about 10 billion tons being produced each year. Unfortunately, its popularity comes with the significant environmental cost of producing approximately 8% of all carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. As more focus is placed on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and aligning with the Paris Agreement on climate change, the concrete industry will need to reduce its emissions by at least 16% by 2030. With this in mind, there is an urgent need to find a greener, more sustainable method to produce more durable concrete.
Researchers at The University of Alabama have developed a low-cost concrete admixture that uses naturally occurring acidic products to improve compressive strength. The formula also inhibits corrosion of reinforced steel, adds antibacterial function to mortars, and enhances the bonding of new concrete on older existing layers. Testing shows increases the compressive strength of concrete by 20%-70% depending on the usage of other nanoparticles such as nanosilica or nanoclay.