Waste from battery recycling, biofuel production and mining could be turned into concrete with improved heat-storage capabilities, in a project led by scientists from Jagiellonian University’s Faculty of Chemistry.
Concrete can absorb heat and gradually release it, but its capacity to store thermal energy is limited. Researchers are seeking to increase that capacity by adding carefully selected materials from three different sources, according to the university.
The first is graphite recovered during the recycling of lithium-ion batteries. Shredding the batteries produces a “black mass” containing graphite and compounds of lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese. While valuable metals can be recovered from this mixture, the graphite is currently difficult to use further.
The second component consists of bio-based phase-change materials such as glycerin and vegetable oils. These substances can store large amounts of heat during phase transitions and release it later, effectively creating a thermal energy store within the building material.
The third component consists of mineral by-products from the mining and aggregate production industries.
The resulting material is intended to help reduce temperature fluctuations inside buildings. As temperatures rise, the energy-storing components would absorb some of the heat, while as temperatures fall, they would gradually release it. This could potentially reduce demand for heating or cooling.
The researchers behind the ACTI-CON project also hope the approach will reduce the amount of waste requiring disposal by putting these materials to new uses. The project follows the principles of the circular economy and responsible production.
By treating waste as a valuable raw material, the project aims to develop more sustainable technologies for the construction sector. It combines scientific research with business collaboration and student participation, according to the university.
In the initial stages, researchers will analyse the properties of the individual raw materials, determine the composition of the additive and test its performance in concrete. They will also produce demonstration concrete blocks.
The project will use a Living Lab model, bringing together researchers, students and industry representatives. It is coordinated by Agnieszka Węgrzyn, PhD, a professor at the Jagiellonian University’s Department of Chemical Technology in the Faculty of Chemistry. Participants include researchers, doctoral candidates and students from institutions including Jagiellonian University, Cracow University of Technology and the Technical University of Košice, as well as industry partners.
Katarzyna Czechowicz (PAP)
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