The development of sustainable cement pastes enhanced by the synergistic effects of glass powder and carbonation curing

Due to the dilution-induced early-age strength reduction, the glass powder (GP) dosage used in concrete to replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is restricted. This study used carbonation curing on GP blended cement pastes to overcome this obstacle. The experimental investigations concluded that mutual improvements could be achieved, where, in comparison to the carbonated OPC batch, not only the compressive strength of 20% GP-incorporated batches was higher for both early-age (increment of 13.4%, 1-day strength of 55.4 MPa) and late-age (increment of 11.2%, 28 days strength of 62.4 MPa), but the carbon sequestration degree was also promoted. According to the characterizations of mineralogy, microstructure, and phase evolution of the blended cement paste subjecting to carbonation curing, the addition of 20% GP induced a higher carbonation degree, smaller calcite crystal size, refined pore structure, and reduced porosity than that of pure OPC control references. The sustainability assessments confirmed that carbonated GP blended cement is a cleaner alternative to OPC.