Sustainable Utilization of Modified Electrolytic Manganese Residue as a Cement Retarder: Workability, Mechanical Properties, Hydration Mechanisms, Leaching Toxicity, and Environmental Benefits

This study aims to enhance the sustainable utilization of electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), an industrial solid waste rich in sulfates and pollutants, by modifying it with appropriate proportions of granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) and carbide slag (CS) and evaluating its potential as a ceme...

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Main Authors: Liang Tang, Jan Fořt, Robert Černý, Zhaoyi He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/10/1586
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author Liang Tang
Jan Fořt
Robert Černý
Zhaoyi He
author_facet Liang Tang
Jan Fořt
Robert Černý
Zhaoyi He
author_sort Liang Tang
collection DOAJ
description This study aims to enhance the sustainable utilization of electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), an industrial solid waste rich in sulfates and pollutants, by modifying it with appropriate proportions of granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) and carbide slag (CS) and evaluating its potential as a cement retarder. The influence of both the GBFS/CS ratio and the dosage of modified EMR on the performance of cement mortar was systematically investigated, focusing on workability, mechanical properties, hydration behavior, leaching toxicity, and carbon emissions. Results showed that GBFS and CS significantly reduced pollutant concentrations in EMR while improving gypsum crystallinity. Modified EMR exhibited retarding properties, extending the initial and final setting times of cement mortar from 98 min and 226 min to 169 min and 298 min. With an 8 wt.% dosage, the 28-day compressive strength reached 58.76 MPa, a 1.3-fold increase compared to cement mortar (45.21 MPa). The content of reactive SiO<sub>2</sub>, Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, Ca(OH)<sub>2</sub>, and CaSO<sub>4</sub>·2H<sub>2</sub>O promoted secondary hydration of cement and generated significant ettringite (AFt) and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gels, forming a dense microstructure. Pollutants in the modified EMR-cement mortar were reduced through precipitation, substitution, and encapsulation, meeting leaching toxicity standards. This study highlights the feasibility and environmental benefits of employing modified EMR as a cement retarder, demonstrating its potential in sustainable building materials.
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spelling doaj-art-2c6b2409d8564de9af0f7205d5601bfe2025-08-20T03:14:36ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-05-011510158610.3390/buildings15101586Sustainable Utilization of Modified Electrolytic Manganese Residue as a Cement Retarder: Workability, Mechanical Properties, Hydration Mechanisms, Leaching Toxicity, and Environmental BenefitsLiang Tang0Jan Fořt1Robert Černý2Zhaoyi He3School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing 400074, ChinaDepartment of Materials Engineering and Chemistry, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Thákurova 7, 16629 Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Materials Engineering and Chemistry, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Thákurova 7, 16629 Prague, Czech RepublicSchool of Civil Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing 400074, ChinaThis study aims to enhance the sustainable utilization of electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), an industrial solid waste rich in sulfates and pollutants, by modifying it with appropriate proportions of granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) and carbide slag (CS) and evaluating its potential as a cement retarder. The influence of both the GBFS/CS ratio and the dosage of modified EMR on the performance of cement mortar was systematically investigated, focusing on workability, mechanical properties, hydration behavior, leaching toxicity, and carbon emissions. Results showed that GBFS and CS significantly reduced pollutant concentrations in EMR while improving gypsum crystallinity. Modified EMR exhibited retarding properties, extending the initial and final setting times of cement mortar from 98 min and 226 min to 169 min and 298 min. With an 8 wt.% dosage, the 28-day compressive strength reached 58.76 MPa, a 1.3-fold increase compared to cement mortar (45.21 MPa). The content of reactive SiO<sub>2</sub>, Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, Ca(OH)<sub>2</sub>, and CaSO<sub>4</sub>·2H<sub>2</sub>O promoted secondary hydration of cement and generated significant ettringite (AFt) and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gels, forming a dense microstructure. Pollutants in the modified EMR-cement mortar were reduced through precipitation, substitution, and encapsulation, meeting leaching toxicity standards. This study highlights the feasibility and environmental benefits of employing modified EMR as a cement retarder, demonstrating its potential in sustainable building materials.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/10/1586electrolytic manganese residuecement retarderworkabilityhydration mechanismCO<sub>2</sub> emissions
spellingShingle Liang Tang
Jan Fořt
Robert Černý
Zhaoyi He
Sustainable Utilization of Modified Electrolytic Manganese Residue as a Cement Retarder: Workability, Mechanical Properties, Hydration Mechanisms, Leaching Toxicity, and Environmental Benefits
Buildings
electrolytic manganese residue
cement retarder
workability
hydration mechanism
CO<sub>2</sub> emissions
title Sustainable Utilization of Modified Electrolytic Manganese Residue as a Cement Retarder: Workability, Mechanical Properties, Hydration Mechanisms, Leaching Toxicity, and Environmental Benefits
title_full Sustainable Utilization of Modified Electrolytic Manganese Residue as a Cement Retarder: Workability, Mechanical Properties, Hydration Mechanisms, Leaching Toxicity, and Environmental Benefits
title_fullStr Sustainable Utilization of Modified Electrolytic Manganese Residue as a Cement Retarder: Workability, Mechanical Properties, Hydration Mechanisms, Leaching Toxicity, and Environmental Benefits
title_full_unstemmed Sustainable Utilization of Modified Electrolytic Manganese Residue as a Cement Retarder: Workability, Mechanical Properties, Hydration Mechanisms, Leaching Toxicity, and Environmental Benefits
title_short Sustainable Utilization of Modified Electrolytic Manganese Residue as a Cement Retarder: Workability, Mechanical Properties, Hydration Mechanisms, Leaching Toxicity, and Environmental Benefits
title_sort sustainable utilization of modified electrolytic manganese residue as a cement retarder workability mechanical properties hydration mechanisms leaching toxicity and environmental benefits
topic electrolytic manganese residue
cement retarder
workability
hydration mechanism
CO<sub>2</sub> emissions
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/10/1586
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AT robertcerny sustainableutilizationofmodifiedelectrolyticmanganeseresidueasacementretarderworkabilitymechanicalpropertieshydrationmechanismsleachingtoxicityandenvironmentalbenefits
AT zhaoyihe sustainableutilizationofmodifiedelectrolyticmanganeseresidueasacementretarderworkabilitymechanicalpropertieshydrationmechanismsleachingtoxicityandenvironmentalbenefits