Towards negative carbon footprint: carbon sequestration enabled manufacturing of coral-inspired tough structural composites
Haoxiang Deng, Haixu Du, Ketian Li, Yanchu Zhang, Kyung Hoon Lee, Botong Zheng & Qiming Wang
npj Advanced Manufacturing
Abstract
The increasing impacts of global warming necessitate effective mitigation strategies, with carbon sequestration emerging as a viable mid-term solution. Traditional methods focus on storing CO2 or converting it into liquid substances. However, natural processes like those found in corals demonstrate superior capabilities by transforming CO2 into robust, load-bearing solids with exceptional mechanical properties. Inspired by coral’s biomineralization, this study introduces an electrochemical manufacturing method that converts CO2 into calcium carbonate minerals around 3D-printed polymer scaffolds. This approach results in mineral-polymer composites characterized by extraordinary mechanical strength and fracture toughness, fire resistance, and crack repairability. These composites also offer structure-programmability and composition-reversibility. The scalable modular assembly of these composites supports the creation of larger-scale, load-bearing meso-structures. This manufacturing paradigm promotes negative carbon footprint practices, paving the way for sustainable engineering solutions and a more environmentally friendly future.
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