Assessment of lithium slag as a supplementary cementitious material: Pozzolanic activity and microstructure development

In this study, lithium slag was utilised as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to develop pozzolanic activity and reduce CO₂ emissions related to cement production, with a focus on comprehensive chemical tests and microstructural assessments. Lithium slag was primarily characterised through laser particle size analyser, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry. These tests indicate that lithium slag holds 31.6% amorphous phase with rich aluminosilicate minerals, making it an excellent candidate as pozzolan. The unsaturated lime and electrical conductivity pozzolanic activity precursor tests evaluated the potentiality of using lithium slag as a low carbon pozzolan. The optimum percentage of lithium slag as a supplementary cementitious material was determined from Frattini, strength activity index, and R³ tests by replacing 0–60% cement. Results show that 40% lithium slag mortar could achieve 93% strength activity index in 28 days. The microstructure development of lithium slag was assessed and ettringite, monocarboaluminate, and intermixed calcium aluminosilicate hydrates were formed at 56 days.