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Low-emission cement clinker precursor production, enabled by electrolytic extraction of calcium from waste cement

Author

Listed:
  • Tengxiao Ji

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Shaoxuan Ren

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Yumeng Yang

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Gaopeng Jiang

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Giuseppe V. Crescenzo

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Sabrina S. Scott

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Yongwook Kim

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Aubry S. R. Williams

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Jordan Rumscheidt

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Monika Stolar

    (The University of British Columbia)

  • Curtis P. Berlinguette

    (The University of British Columbia
    The University of British Columbia
    The University of British Columbia
    661 University Avenue)

Abstract

We report here the electrochemical production of cement clinker precursor, containing calcium derived from the electrolytic decomposition of waste cement. Our “cement recycler” contains a cement electrolyzer, coupled to a cement digestion vessel, and a Ca(OH)2 isolation vessel. The cement electrolyzer creates acid and base equivalents, and converts waste cement into Ca(OH)2 and SiO2. The electrolyzer was demonstrated at current densities up to 300 mA cm–2 to produce yields higher than 80% for Ca(OH)2. We experimentally verified a 99.8% reduction in CO2 emissions when using fresh waste cement, and an 80% reduction when using aged cement (enriched in CO2 due to atmospheric carbonation) from a demolition site. Our cement recycler bypasses the need for virgin limestone and could cut global CO2 emissions by nearly 1 Gt annually, while also helping divert substantial waste cement from landfills.

Suggested Citation

  • Tengxiao Ji & Shaoxuan Ren & Yumeng Yang & Gaopeng Jiang & Giuseppe V. Crescenzo & Sabrina S. Scott & Yongwook Kim & Aubry S. R. Williams & Jordan Rumscheidt & Monika Stolar & Curtis P. Berlinguette, 2025. "Low-emission cement clinker precursor production, enabled by electrolytic extraction of calcium from waste cement," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-64339-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64339-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shaoyun Hao & Ahmad Elgazzar & Nandakishore Ravi & Tae-Ung Wi & Peng Zhu & Yuge Feng & Yang Xia & Feng-Yang Chen & Xiaonan Shan & Haotian Wang, 2025. "Improving the operational stability of electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction via salt precipitation understanding and management," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 10(2), pages 266-277, February.
    2. Namho Cho & Mounir El Asmar & Mohammad Aldaaja, 2022. "An Analysis of the Impact of the Circular Economy Application on Construction and Demolition Waste in the United States of America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-21, August.
    3. Izhar Hussain Shah & Sabbie A. Miller & Daqian Jiang & Rupert J. Myers, 2022. "Cement substitution with secondary materials can reduce annual global CO2 emissions by up to 1.3 gigatons," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Cyrille F. Dunant & Shiju Joseph & Rohit Prajapati & Julian M. Allwood, 2024. "Electric recycling of Portland cement at scale," Nature, Nature, vol. 629(8014), pages 1055-1061, May.
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