Biomineralization in cement and concrete research

Abstract

Biomineralization refers to the biological processes through which living organisms produce minerals. In recent years, biomineralizing microorganisms have been used to stabilize soil or to impart a self-healing or self-sealing mechanism to damaged cement and concrete materials. However, applications of biominerals in cement and concrete research can extend far beyond these applications. This article focuses on the biomineralization of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) and their past, present, and future potential applications in cement and concrete research. First, we review the mechanisms of CaCO3 and SiO2 biomineralization and the micro- and macroorganisms involved in their production. Second, we showcase the wide array of biomineral architectures, with an explicit focus on CaCO3 polymorphs and SiO2 morphologies found in nature. Third, we briefly summarize previous applications of CaCO3 and SiO2 biomineralization in cement and concrete research. Finally, we discuss emerging applications of biominerals in cement and concrete research, including mineral admixtures or raw meal for portland cement production, as well as other applications that extend beyond self-healing.