IP Library Granted Patent US 12,552,710
Granted Patent B2
US 12,552,710 · App. 17/631,408 · Granted Feb 17, 2026

Methods of making sustainable ductile cast cementitious structure for carbon dioxide sequestration

Inventors: Victor C. Li (Ann Arbor, MI); Brian R. Ellis (Ann Arbor, MI); Duo Zhang (Ann Arbor, MI)
Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan
C04B28/04B01D53/62B28B11/243C04B14/06C04B16/0641C04B40/0236C04B40/0281B01D2251/404B01D2257/504
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,552,710
App. No.
17/631,408
Granted
Feb 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods of preparing a cementitious structure for carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) sequestration are provided. The cementitious structure may be a cast in a mold. First, a cementitious composite material comprising binder and water is conditioned, for example, in a mold by exposing the cementitious composite material to ≥about 50% to ≤about 80% relative humidity for ≥about 3 hours to ≤about 24 hours. The cementitious composite material is then dried to remove ≥about 10% by weight of initial water in the cementitious composite material. The cementitious structure formed is capable of a carbon dioxide uptake level of greater than or equal to about 6% by weight binder. The cementitious structure has a tensile strain capacity of ≥about 1% and a uniaxial tensile strength of ≥about 1 MPa. The method may also include carbonating the cementitious structure, following by an optional further hydration process.

Claims (11)

1 . A method of preparing a cementitious structure for carbon dioxide sequestration, the method comprising:

conditioning a cementitious composite material comprising a binder and water by exposing the cementitious composite material to greater than or equal to about 50% relative humidity to less than or equal to about 80% relative humidity at a temperature of less than or equal to about 25° C. for a duration of greater than or equal to about 3 hours to less than or equal to about 4 hours, wherein the binder comprises a Type C fly ash and a Type F fly ash, wherein the Type C fly ash and the Type F fly ash are cumulatively present at greater than or equal to about 60% by weight of the cementitious composite material and the cementitious composite material is free of Portland cement; and

drying the cementitious composite material to remove at least greater than or equal to about 20% by weight of initial water in the cementitious composite material to form the cementitious structure capable of a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) uptake level of greater than or equal to about 6% by weight binder, wherein the cementitious structure has a tensile strain capacity of greater than or equal to about 1% and a uniaxial tensile strength of greater than or equal to about 1 MPa.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising carbonating the cementitious structure after the drying.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising exposing the cast cementitious structure to water for rehydration after the carbonating.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the conditioning occurs at ambient temperatures and the temperature is greater than or equal to about 21°° C. to less than or equal to about 25° C.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein greater than or equal to about 20% to less than or equal to about 40% of an initial amount of water present in the cementitious composite material is removed from the cementitious composite material after the drying.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein greater than or equal to about 20% to less than or equal to about 60% of an initial amount of water present in the cementitious composite material is removed from the cementitious composite material after the drying.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cementitious composite material further comprises at least one aggregate and at least one polymeric fiber.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the drying is conducted for greater than or equal to about 2 hours to less than or equal to 6 hours.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the tensile strain capacity is greater than or equal to about 2% and the uniaxial tensile strength is greater than or equal to about 2 MPa.

Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Sep 12, 2023
From: UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 064870/0388 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2022
From: LI, VICTOR C.; ELLIS, BRIAN R.; ZHANG, DUO
To: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Reel/Frame 058816/0686 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62881488 · Aug 1, 2019
Related Publication 20220274876A1 · Sep 1, 2022
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