Multifunctional submicron-scale porous water-foamed cementitious materials

Abstract Conventional cement-based materials face a fundamental trade-off between low density and high performance, owing to their limited ability to precisely control pore structure. We use ultrasound carbonation to tailor the water distribution and confinement within the flocculation structure, thereby directing product nucleation and growth, and ultimately yielding a multifunctional submicron-scale water-foamed cementitious material. The matrix exhibits a highly refined pore network, 96.8% of which is smaller than 200 nm. The specific compressive strength is 22.5 kN·m·kg −1 , representing an increase of up to 162% relative to a laboratory-prepared foamed concrete control. Simultaneously, the sound transmission loss increases by 131.8% and 107.0% at 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz, respectively, while cumulative CO 2 uptake reaches 7.11% per unit mass of cement after 28 days. The approach relies solely on cement and water as raw materials, reducing process complexity and showing potential for production.