Exploring reaction and carbonation products of calcium silicate cement

Calcium silicate cement (CSC) can be a promising cementitious binder for its reduced CO₂ footprint in comparison with ordinary Portland cement, while its detailed chemical information remains undisclosed. Herein, we present thermodynamic calculation results that illustrate the effect of reaction and carbonation degrees on the reaction products of CSC that undergoes the hardening process at an elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration. The obtained simulation results are discussed in relation to stability of phases. It is revealed that C-S-H can be a stable and strength-giving phase when the carbonation degree is less than one-third of the reaction degree. Amorphous aluminosilicate and calcite become the main binding phases at higher carbonation degrees when C-S-H is depleted.