Properties and Characterization of Magnesium Oxychloride Cement as Carbon Capture Material

Abstract

Greenhouse gas emissions produced by steam-powered electric plants can trigger damage to the atmosphere and increase the average surface temperature below it, resulting in global warming as a manifestation of the operation of power plants. A material is needed to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) gas produced by the power plant. Magnesium oxychloride (MOC) cement, commonly called Sorel cement, has the potential to be used as a carbon capture material. MOC is synthesized from magnesium oxide (MgO), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and water (H2O). This study aimed to find the optimum ratio of MgO:MgCl2:H2O to produce the MOC with highest mechanical properties ranged from 1:1:1, 2:1:1, and 3:1:1. To determine the performance of the resulting MOC, physical, mechanical, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) characterization tests were carried out. MOC with the highest mechanical properties was exposed to a high CO2 gas environment to determine its carbon capture performance. The mechanical testing shows that the best ratio of MgO:MgCl2:H2O was 3:1:1. This produces a hardness value of 43 VHN, a compressive strength of 57 MPa, a flexural strength of 46 MPa, and a modulus of elasticity of 2 GPa. The MOC 3:1:1 shows a CO2 gas capture effectiveness of 36% after 7 days, proven by XRD and SEM. The results of the tests carried out show that MOC has the potential to reduce carbon emissions produced by the steam-powered electric plant industry.