Construction materials could be greener, lighter with ceramic clay blend

Researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Federal University of Sao Carlos (UFSCar) have developed a novel approach to repurpose large amounts of sargassum algae, which have been increasingly accumulating on Caribbean and Atlantic coastlines, causing environmental and economic problems. Instead of discarding the seaweed in landfills, the team incorporated sargassum into ceramic clay mixtures at 20% and 40% concentrations. These mixtures were then sintered at various temperatures using both conventional and microwave ovens to produce lightweight ceramic clay aggregates. The study found that adding sargassum notably reduced the density of the materials, with microwave-sintered samples meeting strength requirements across all tested temperatures. A comprehensive life cycle assessment revealed that the algae-infused ceramics offer environmental benefits by reducing natural resource consumption and enhancing energy efficiency in construction materials. The researchers successfully incorporated up to 30% sargassum into panels, fully replacing limestone ash, while maintaining or improving durability and mechanical performance in