Scientists Develop Carbon-Negative Material to Revolutionize Concrete and Cement  

Northwestern Engineering researchers have developed a groundbreaking carbon-negative building material using seawater, electricity, and CO2. This innovation offers a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete and cement, industries responsible for a significant portion of global carbon emissions.  

Inspired by the natural process through which coral and mollusks form their shells, the researchers used electricity to stimulate mineral growth in seawater. By injecting CO2 while applying an electric current, they produced calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide minerals that permanently trap carbon. These materials can replace sand and gravel in concrete or be used in cement, plaster, and paint production.  

The process not only locks away CO2 but also generates hydrogen gas as a byproduct, offering a clean energy source with applications in transportation and industry. Additionally, researchers can control the composition, density, and porosity of the produced materials, making them adaptable for various construction needs.  

Since the cement industry accounts for 8% of global CO2 emissions, this breakthrough could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment. The scalable process, designed for modular reactors rather than direct ocean deployment, ensures environmental safety while enabling a circular approach sequestering CO2 from industrial sources and transforming it into valuable construction materials.  

The study, Electrodeposition of Carbon-Trapping Minerals in Seawater for Variable Electrochemical Potentials and Carbon Dioxide Injections, was published on March 19 in Advanced Sustainable Systems and was supported by Cemex and Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering.

Source: https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/news/articles/2025/03/new-carbon-negative-material-could-make-concrete-and-cement-more-sustainable/