Hydration characteristics and microstructure evolution of concrete with blended binders from LCD and OLED wastes

The use of pozzolanic waste materials as partial cement replacement is customary in contemporary concretes from the sustainability perspective. In this study, glass wastes from organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and liquid crystal display (LCD) were used waste as supplementary cementing material (SCM) in concrete. For the first time, detailed microstructural and hydration attributes have been studied for such blended concretes. Concretes with 10%, 20%, and 30% substitution of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) by OLED and LCD glass powders were developed. The resulting mechanical properties, hydration attributes, and microstructural features were studied at various ages, up to one year. Superior mechanical properties were shown after 28-day age for blended concretes; however, much profound improvement in compressive and flexural strength was observed at 1-year age. The enhanced mechanical properties of modified concretes are attributed to greater pozzolanic activity and secondary hydrates formation of OLED and LCD glass powders in alkaline cementitious matrix. Greater C-S-H gel formation, lower permeability, and more refined microstructure of the blended concrete were corroborated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Rietveld quantitative phase analysis (RQPA), backscattered electron image analysis (BSE), and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). 20 wt% has been found as the optimal value of cement replacement by either LCD or OLED powder. The results clearly indicate LCD and OLED can be successfully used as SCM for developing concrete with improved properties.