ScholarWorks@성균관대학교

초록

This study explores the feasibility of a novel bacteria-based mortar and concrete capable of capturing atmospheric CO2 throughout their service life without additional facilities. Isolated bacterial strains-Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Sphingobacterium multivorum, and Lysinibacillus sphaericus-were immobilized on porous expanded vermiculite to preserve viability under the extreme conditions of hardened concrete. The immobilized bacteria exhibited robust CO2 uptake under diverse exposure conditions, including light/dark cycles, relative humidity from 60 % to 99 %, and temperatures ranging from 5 degrees C to 35 degrees C. Even at 5 degrees C, CO2 capture performance was maintained at more than 42 % of that achieved at 20-35 degrees C. The bacteria-immobilizing expanded vermiculites outperformed biochar specimens, exhibiting significantly higher CO2 capture capacities and a much faster rate of CO2 sequestration, even at the exposure temperature of 5 degrees C. Viable cell counts confirmed bacterial populations increased by 2.3-3.3 times after CO2 exposure, indicating continued growth and activity. These findings establish a scientific basis for integrating living bacterial systems into construction materials as a pathway toward carbon-neutrality. Future research will focus on developing biological mortars, evaluating their mechanical and durability properties, and ensuring environmental safety. The proposed approach offers a promising direction for transforming concrete into a sustainable material capable of active CO2 capture, potentially revolutionizing the construction industry's role in climate change mitigation.

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