Reusing waste toner powder as functional additives for alkali-activated slag

The incorporation of waste toner powder (WTP), a recognized hazardous waste, into cementitious materials as a functional additive offers a cost-effective disposal method and a sustainable utilization approach. This study examines the feasibility of integrating WTP into alkali-activated slag (AAS) co...

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Main Authors: Jun Ren, Xincheng Huang, Junjie Liu, Jianghong Mao, Chengzhao Liang, Zhaowei Cheng, Haiyan Zhu, Jian Xu, Ziqi Dong, Moray Newlands, Tangwei Mi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525005819
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author Jun Ren
Xincheng Huang
Junjie Liu
Jianghong Mao
Chengzhao Liang
Zhaowei Cheng
Haiyan Zhu
Jian Xu
Ziqi Dong
Moray Newlands
Tangwei Mi
author_facet Jun Ren
Xincheng Huang
Junjie Liu
Jianghong Mao
Chengzhao Liang
Zhaowei Cheng
Haiyan Zhu
Jian Xu
Ziqi Dong
Moray Newlands
Tangwei Mi
author_sort Jun Ren
collection DOAJ
description The incorporation of waste toner powder (WTP), a recognized hazardous waste, into cementitious materials as a functional additive offers a cost-effective disposal method and a sustainable utilization approach. This study examines the feasibility of integrating WTP into alkali-activated slag (AAS) compositeswith a focus on the potential of WTP to enhance the material properties of these composites. Microstructural analysis using SEM confirmed that the inclusion of a dispersing agent (PCE) improved the dispersion of WTP, minimizing particle agglomeration. Rheological tests indicated that increasing WTP content reduced flowability and increased plastic viscosity, though PCE pretreatment helped mitigate these effects. Compressive strength results showed a reduction in strength with higher WTP content, likely due to the limited involvement of WTP in the hydration process. Nevertheless, the strength levels remained sufficient for practical applications. Electrical resistivity measurements demonstrated increased conductivity with higher WTP content, indicating potential self-sensing capabilities. Leaching tests revealed that the AAS composite effectively immobilized heavy metals, ensuring safety for landfill disposal. XRD and MIP analyses provided further insights into WTP’s impact on hydration dynamics and pore structure, with PCE enhancing pore refinement. This work introduces a novel valorization strategy for hazardous WTP by developing multifunctional AAS-based composites with potential self-sensing properties. These findings offer practical implications for smart infrastructure development and sustainable waste management in the construction industry.
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spelling doaj-art-bcce025e905e48c790d398f4708a8ab72025-08-20T01:51:04ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-07-0122e0478310.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04783Reusing waste toner powder as functional additives for alkali-activated slagJun Ren0Xincheng Huang1Junjie Liu2Jianghong Mao3Chengzhao Liang4Zhaowei Cheng5Haiyan Zhu6Jian Xu7Ziqi Dong8Moray Newlands9Tangwei Mi10Urban Construction and Digital City Teaching Experiment Center, School of Architecture and Planning, Yunnan University, Kunming 650550, PR China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Carbon Neutrality and Green Low-carbon Technologies, Yunnan University, Kunming 6500504, PR ChinaUrban Construction and Digital City Teaching Experiment Center, School of Architecture and Planning, Yunnan University, Kunming 650550, PR ChinaUrban Construction and Digital City Teaching Experiment Center, School of Architecture and Planning, Yunnan University, Kunming 650550, PR ChinaCollege of Architecture & Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR ChinaUrban Construction and Digital City Teaching Experiment Center, School of Architecture and Planning, Yunnan University, Kunming 650550, PR ChinaUrban Construction and Digital City Teaching Experiment Center, School of Architecture and Planning, Yunnan University, Kunming 650550, PR ChinaUrban Construction and Digital City Teaching Experiment Center, School of Architecture and Planning, Yunnan University, Kunming 650550, PR ChinaUrban Construction and Digital City Teaching Experiment Center, School of Architecture and Planning, Yunnan University, Kunming 650550, PR ChinaUrban Construction and Digital City Teaching Experiment Center, School of Architecture and Planning, Yunnan University, Kunming 650550, PR ChinaSchool of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, DD1 4HN, United KingdomSchool of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, DD1 4HN, United Kingdom; Corresponding author.The incorporation of waste toner powder (WTP), a recognized hazardous waste, into cementitious materials as a functional additive offers a cost-effective disposal method and a sustainable utilization approach. This study examines the feasibility of integrating WTP into alkali-activated slag (AAS) compositeswith a focus on the potential of WTP to enhance the material properties of these composites. Microstructural analysis using SEM confirmed that the inclusion of a dispersing agent (PCE) improved the dispersion of WTP, minimizing particle agglomeration. Rheological tests indicated that increasing WTP content reduced flowability and increased plastic viscosity, though PCE pretreatment helped mitigate these effects. Compressive strength results showed a reduction in strength with higher WTP content, likely due to the limited involvement of WTP in the hydration process. Nevertheless, the strength levels remained sufficient for practical applications. Electrical resistivity measurements demonstrated increased conductivity with higher WTP content, indicating potential self-sensing capabilities. Leaching tests revealed that the AAS composite effectively immobilized heavy metals, ensuring safety for landfill disposal. XRD and MIP analyses provided further insights into WTP’s impact on hydration dynamics and pore structure, with PCE enhancing pore refinement. This work introduces a novel valorization strategy for hazardous WTP by developing multifunctional AAS-based composites with potential self-sensing properties. These findings offer practical implications for smart infrastructure development and sustainable waste management in the construction industry.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525005819Waste toner powder (WTP)Alkali-activated materials (AAMs)Heavy metal stabilizationSustainable waste management
spellingShingle Jun Ren
Xincheng Huang
Junjie Liu
Jianghong Mao
Chengzhao Liang
Zhaowei Cheng
Haiyan Zhu
Jian Xu
Ziqi Dong
Moray Newlands
Tangwei Mi
Reusing waste toner powder as functional additives for alkali-activated slag
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Waste toner powder (WTP)
Alkali-activated materials (AAMs)
Heavy metal stabilization
Sustainable waste management
title Reusing waste toner powder as functional additives for alkali-activated slag
title_full Reusing waste toner powder as functional additives for alkali-activated slag
title_fullStr Reusing waste toner powder as functional additives for alkali-activated slag
title_full_unstemmed Reusing waste toner powder as functional additives for alkali-activated slag
title_short Reusing waste toner powder as functional additives for alkali-activated slag
title_sort reusing waste toner powder as functional additives for alkali activated slag
topic Waste toner powder (WTP)
Alkali-activated materials (AAMs)
Heavy metal stabilization
Sustainable waste management
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525005819
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