Research progress of resourceful and efficient utilization of coal gangue in the field of building materials

Coal gangue is a carbonaceous rock discharged from coal mining and coal washing processes, an industrial solid waste in the coal mining industry. Coal gangue contains complex and diverse components, has low utilization rate and difficulty in compatibility between large-scale and high added value. Long term accumulation pollutes the environment. Safely, efficiently, and resourceful dispose and utilization of coal gangue have always been unavoidable issues for the high-quality development of the coal mining industry. Under the background of carbon neutrality and the development of green building industrialization, the efficient utilization of coal gangue resources in the field of building materials has broaden development space. The efficient utilization of coal gangue in the field of building materials should start from its composition, structure, and physical and chemical properties, and strengthen basic research on its application, in order to create efficient utilization pathways and mature technical means for the disposal of coal gangue solid waste in the building materials field. This article summarizes the latest research progress of coal gangue in the field of building materials, focusing on the high-value utilization technology of coal gangue in the preparation of concrete aggregates, cementitious materials (cement, active raw materials for geopolymer, etc.), and points out the existing problems in the utilization process of coal gangue and puts forward constructive suggestions. Perspectives are made for its future development and application prospects.