Carbon Dioxide Uptake and Storage in Construction Materials: Mechanisms, Theoretical Capacity, and Global Potential

ABSTRACT

The construction sector constitutes a major source of global carbon dioxide emissions, and cement production contributes substantially via fuel combustion and limestone decomposition. These challenges have encouraged the incorporation of carbon dioxide into construction materials through mineralization. Cementitious and alkaline materials, including cement and concrete, recycled concrete aggregates, steel slag, and fly ash, can react with carbon dioxide to form stable carbonate phases under both atmospheric and accelerated conditions, thereby providing a practical alternative to conventional geological carbon storage. This study provides a holistic review of carbonation processes by summarizing the mechanisms governing carbonation in various materials and examining existing experimental studies on natural and accelerated carbonation. Based on stoichiometric analysis and reported global production volumes, the theoretical level of carbon dioxide uptake and global carbon dioxide storage potential of each material category are estimated. The review further summarizes recent progress in the mathematical modeling of the diffusion–reaction processes associated with carbonation, which remain essential for supporting industrial implementation. By integrating material characteristics, process mechanisms, and modeling insights, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of carbon dioxide uptake in cementitious and alkaline materials, thereby contributing to the advancement of large‐scale mineralization strategies for carbon storage in the construction sector.