Building material based on Mars simulated soil in-situ construction and preparation method

Abstract

The invention discloses a preparation method of a building material based on Mars simulated soil. The preparation method comprises the following steps: activating the Mars simulated soil; the activation mode comprises mechanical activation, and then one of thermochemical treatment, surface modification and electrochemical treatment is adopted; adding water into the activated Mars simulation soil, fully stirring, and then carrying out compression molding; and curing the molded test block in a carbon dioxide atmosphere to a set age, and then taking out the molded test block to obtain the building material based on the Mars simulated soil. According to the method, CO2 existing in the Mars environment and carbonizable components in soil are efficiently utilized, the requirement for water resources is remarkably reduced, and the purpose of producing high-performance building materials in the Mars in situ is achieved, so that the cost of Mars construction is reduced, and in-situ construction of a Mars base is promoted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of building materials technology, specifically relating to a building material based on Martian simulated soil and its preparation method. Background Technology

[0002] As humanity's exploration of the universe deepens, Mars, as a target for future interstellar migration and permanent settlement, is increasingly becoming a focus of global scientific attention. However, establishing a stable and sustainable human settlement on Mars faces enormous technological challenges. Among these, ensuring the supply of structural materials needed for life support systems and infrastructure construction is one of the core issues that urgently needs to be addressed. Due to the vast distance between Earth and Mars and the high transportation costs, transporting large quantities of building materials from Earth to Mars is extremely uneconomical and impractical. Therefore, utilizing in-situ Martian resources has become a key strategy for constructing a Martian base and achieving long-term human habitation.

[0003] The Martian atmosphere contains abundant CO2, and astronaut life support systems and base activities also continuously generate CO2, providing a sufficient carbon source for carbonization. Meanwhile, the Martian soil contains calcium (magnesium) components that can participate in carbonization reactions, providing a solid material basis for locally sourced building materials. Furthermore, compared to traditional terrestrial cement building material preparation methods, carbonization can effectively reduce water consumption and simultaneously achieve efficient utilization of both local Martian CO2 and carbonizable components in the soil. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for preparing building materials based on in-situ construction on Mars. This method can efficiently utilize CO2 present in the Martian environment and carbonizable components in the soil, and significantly reduce the demand for water resources. It aims to achieve the in-situ production of high-performance building materials on Mars, thereby reducing the cost of construction on Mars and promoting the in-situ construction of Martian bases. At the same time, it converts CO2 in the Martian environment into stable carbonates, realizing the effective absorption, storage and utilization of CO2, providing a potential pathway for future Martian environmental terraforming, and solving the problem of CO2 waste gas treatment during the construction process on Mars.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the following technical solution is adopted: A method for preparing building materials based on Martian simulated soil includes the following steps: (1) Activating the Martian simulated soil; the activation method includes mechanical activation followed by one of thermochemical treatment, surface modification and electrochemical treatment; (2) Add water to the activated Mars simulation soil and stir thoroughly, then press it into shape; (3) After curing the molded test block in a carbon dioxide atmosphere to a set age, it is taken out to obtain the building material based on Mars simulated soil.

[0006] According to the above scheme, the chemical composition of the Martian simulated soil mainly includes: silicon dioxide 43.9%±5.0%; magnesium oxide 14.8%±3.5%; calcium oxide 7.9%±4.0%; titanium dioxide 0.46%±0.2%; aluminum oxide 12.8%±3.0%; iron oxide 10.6%±2.0%; manganese oxide 0.11%±0.08%; sodium oxide 1.5%±0.5%; potassium oxide 0.29%±0.1%; and phosphorus pentoxide content of 0.17%±0.1%.

[0007] According to the above scheme, the mechanical activation includes ball milling the Martian simulated soil; wherein the ratio of grinding balls to Martian simulated soil is 1:1-10:1, preferably 2:1; the ball milling speed is 200-500 r / min, preferably 400 r / min; the ball milling time is 10-60 minutes, preferably 30 minutes; and the sieve size after ball milling is below 75-100 μm, preferably below 75 μm.

[0008] According to the above scheme, the thermochemical treatment includes mixing mechanically activated Martian simulated soil, calcium (magnesium)-containing materials, and flux in a certain proportion, pressing into shape, drying, calcining, cooling, and then grinding; the calcium (magnesium)-containing materials include, but are not limited to, one or more of calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, carbide slag, and lime; the flux includes, but is not limited to, one of sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sodium oxide, potassium carbonate, and potassium oxide; wherein, the amount of calcium (magnesium)-containing materials is 10-50 wt% of the Martian simulated soil; and the amount of flux is 1-5 wt% of the Martian simulated soil.

[0009] According to the above scheme, the water-to-solid ratio of the pressing molding is 0.1-0.15, and the molding pressure is 2-6 MPa; the drying conditions are drying in an oven at 105 ℃ for 24 hours; the calcination conditions are heating to 800-1200 ℃ at a rate of 5-10 ℃ / min and holding at that temperature for 2-6 hours; grinding and sieving to below 75-100 μm. The temperature required for the calcination process can be obtained by focusing sunlight on Mars.

[0010] According to the above scheme, the surface modification includes mixing mechanically activated Martian simulated soil with calcium (magnesium)-containing materials in a certain proportion, hydrothermal synthesis, filtration, drying and grinding; the calcium (magnesium)-containing materials include one or more of calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, carbide slag, etc.; the amount of calcium (magnesium)-containing materials is 5-30 wt% of the Martian simulated soil.

[0011] According to the above scheme, the water-to-solid ratio of the hydrothermal synthesis is 1-10, the hydrothermal temperature is 120 ℃-200 ℃, and the hydrothermal time is 6-24 h; the drying conditions are a vacuum drying oven or a vacuum freeze dryer; and the material is ground and sieved to below 75-100 μm. The temperature required for the hydrothermal process can be obtained by focusing sunlight on Mars.

[0012] According to the above scheme, the electrochemical treatment includes adding mechanically activated Martian simulated soil to the anode chamber of an electrolytic cell, adding an electrolyte for electrolytic treatment, followed by filtration, drying and collection; the electrolyte is an alkali metal salt solution, specifically one of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, zinc sulfate, etc., with a concentration of 1-4 mol / L.

[0013] According to the above scheme, the diaphragm of the electrolytic cell includes, but is not limited to, one of glass fiber diaphragms, naphthol diaphragms, polyethylene diaphragms, and cement diaphragms; the electrolysis voltage range is 1.48-2.5 V, and the current range is 10-100 mA / cm². 2 The drying conditions are an oven.

[0014] According to the above scheme, the water-to-solid ratio in step (2) of the pressing molding is 0.1-0.2; the pressure is 2 MPa-6 MPa.

[0015] According to the above scheme, the concentration of carbon dioxide atmosphere in step (3) shall not be less than 5%; the carbonization temperature shall be 20±2℃; and the curing time shall be 1-24 h. Among them, the CO2 gas required for carbonization can be derived from the Martian environment, such as the exhaled gas produced by the astronaut's life support system, the Martian atmosphere, and CO2 generated during the construction of the Martian base.

[0016] The building material based on Mars simulated soil provided by this invention is prepared using the above method.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: By using thermochemical treatment methods, the silica rich in simulated Martian soil is used as the silicon source, calcium-magnesium materials are added as the calcium or magnesium source, and flux is introduced to lower the calcination temperature, so that calcium silicate minerals with carbonization activity are formed at a lower temperature, thereby improving the efficiency of subsequent carbonization reactions and the performance of materials.

[0018] By using surface modification methods, the silica rich in simulated Martian soil is used as a silicon source, and calcium-magnesium materials are added as calcium or magnesium sources. A CSH gel or MSH gel layer with carbonization activity is formed on the particle surface through hydrothermal synthesis, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of subsequent carbonization reactions and the overall performance of the material.

[0019] By using an electrochemical treatment method, calcium and magnesium components, which are found in simulated Martian soil, are added to the anode chamber of an electrolytic cell. Alkali metal salt electrolyte is then added for electrolysis treatment, which promotes the efficient leaching of calcium and magnesium ions from solid minerals. This improves the supply of calcium and magnesium active substances in the subsequent carbonization reaction, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the carbonization reaction and the performance of the material.

[0020] Carbonization allows for the efficient use of CO2 in the Martian environment and carbonizable calcium (magnesium) components in Martian soil, enabling full in-situ utilization of Martian resources and significantly reducing the enormous costs and time required to transport building materials from Earth. This, in turn, significantly lowers the construction cost of a Martian base and provides a new approach for in-situ construction on Mars.

[0021] Compared to traditional methods for preparing Earth-based cement-based building materials, this invention uses a carbonization method, which reduces water requirements and effectively avoids the limitation of limited water resources on Mars, providing a feasible solution for the sustainable construction of in-situ Mars bases.

[0022] By converting CO2 in the Martian environment into stable carbonates through carbonization, the effective absorption, storage, and utilization of CO2 are achieved, providing a potential pathway for future Martian environmental terraforming and solving the problem of CO2 waste gas treatment during the construction of Mars. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The following embodiments further illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] The specific implementation provides a Martian-simulated soil, purchased from Beijing Lingyu Tianji Technology Co., Ltd., whose chemical composition mainly includes: silicon dioxide content of 43.9%; titanium dioxide content of 0.46%; aluminum oxide content of 12.84%; iron oxide content of 10.6%; manganese oxide content of 0.11%; magnesium oxide content of 14.81%; calcium oxide content of 7.91%; sodium oxide content of 1.5%; potassium oxide content of 0.29%; and phosphorus pentoxide content of 0.17%. Unless otherwise specified, all other raw materials were obtained commercially.

[0025] The concentration of CO2 gas used in the specific embodiments is not less than 5%, which is intended to simulate the exhaled gas produced by the astronaut's life support system, CO2 captured by the Martian atmosphere, and the concentration conditions of CO2 that may be generated during the construction of the Martian base.

[0026] Example 1 Grinding balls and Martian simulated soil were weighed at a mass ratio of 2:1 and ball-milled at 400 r / min for 30 minutes. The mixture was then sieved to a particle size of less than 75 μm. The sieved Martian simulated soil was then thoroughly mixed with water at a water-to-solid ratio of 0.15. The mixture was then filled into a cylindrical mold with a diameter of 10 mm and pressed under a pressure of 2 MPa. After demolding, the resulting sample was placed in a carbonization curing chamber with the following conditions: temperature 20 ± 2 ℃, relative humidity approximately 95%, CO2 concentration 5%, and carbonization curing time of 1 day. The sample was removed after curing.

[0027] Example 2 Weigh grinding balls and Martian simulated soil at a mass ratio of 2:1, and ball mill at 400 r / min for 30 minutes. After ball milling, sieve the mixture to a particle size of less than 75 μm. Then, add 30% calcium carbonate to the sieved Martian simulated soil, mix evenly, and then add water at a water-to-solid ratio of 0.15. Fill the mixture into a cylindrical mold with a diameter of 15 mm and press it with a pressure of 2 MPa. After demolding, heat the sample to 1000 ℃ at a heating rate of 5 ℃ / min and hold for 2 hours. After the furnace temperature naturally cools to room temperature, remove and grind the sample. Then mix it with water at a water-to-solid ratio of 0.15, fill the mixture into a cylindrical mold with a diameter of 10 mm, and press it again with a pressure of 2 MPa. After demolding, place the sample in a carbonization curing chamber for curing. The carbonization conditions are: temperature 20±2 ℃, relative humidity of approximately 95%, CO2 concentration of 5%, and curing time of 1 day. After curing, remove the sample.

[0028] Example 3 Weigh grinding balls and Martian simulated soil at a mass ratio of 2:1, and ball mill at 400 r / min for 30 minutes. After ball milling, sieve the mixture to a particle size of less than 75 μm. Then, add 15% carbide slag to the sieved Martian simulated soil, mix well, and then add water at a water-to-solid ratio of 5:1. Pour the mixture into a reaction vessel and hydrothermally react at 200 ℃ for 24 hours. After the reaction, remove the mixture, filter it, and dry it in a vacuum drying oven at 60 ℃ for 24 hours. After drying, remove the mixture, grind it, and then mix it with water at a water-to-solid ratio of 0.15. Fill the mixture into a cylindrical mold with a diameter of 10 mm and apply a pressure of 2 MPa to press it into shape. After demolding, place the sample in a carbonization curing chamber for curing. The carbonization conditions are: temperature 20±2 ℃, relative humidity of about 95%, CO2 concentration of 5%, and curing time of 1 day. After curing, remove the sample.

[0029] Example 4 Grinding balls and Martian simulated soil were weighed at a mass ratio of 2:1 and ball-milled at 400 r / min for 30 minutes. After ball milling, the mixture was sieved to a particle size of less than 75 μm. Subsequently, the sieved Martian simulated soil was placed in the anode chamber of an electrolytic cell. The electrolyte was 0.5 M sodium sulfate, and the diaphragm was a naphthol diaphragm. The current density was 50 mA / cm². 2 Electrolysis was carried out for 24 hours. After electrolysis, the sample was removed, filtered, and dried in an oven at 105 ℃ for 24 hours. After drying, the sample was removed, ground, and then mixed with water at a water-to-solid ratio of 0.15. The mixture was then filled into a cylindrical mold with a diameter of 10 mm and pressed under a pressure of 2 MPa. After demolding, the sample was placed in a carbonization curing chamber for curing under the following conditions: temperature 20±2 ℃, relative humidity approximately 95%, CO2 concentration 5%, and curing time 1 day. The sample was removed after curing.

[0030] Comparative Example 1 Only the original Martian simulated soil was weighed out. Water was then added to a water-to-solid ratio of 0.15. The mixture was then thoroughly mixed with water at the 0.15 water-to-solid ratio. Next, the mixture was filled into a cylindrical mold with a diameter of 10 mm and pressed under a pressure of 2 MPa. After demolding, the resulting sample was placed in a carbonization curing chamber for curing under the following conditions: temperature 20 ± 2 ℃, relative humidity approximately 95%, CO2 concentration 5%, and carbonization curing time of 1 day. The sample was removed after curing.

[0031] The compressive strength of the products obtained in the above embodiments and comparative examples was characterized, as shown in Table 1. Compressive strength: measured using a YYW-300DS compression and flexural strength testing machine, with the loading rate controlled at 1 mm / min.

[0032] Table 1

[0033] As shown in Table 1, the carbonization activity of the simulated Martian soil was significantly enhanced after a specific activation method, which in turn significantly improved the mechanical properties of the building material.

[0034] Table 2 lists the results of radiation exposure experiments on the building materials prepared in Examples 1-4. Radiation exposure test: The building materials were irradiated with a high-energy electron beam at a dose of 50 kGy, and their compressive strength was tested and compared with building materials that were not irradiated with the same dose of radiation.

[0035] Table 2

[0036] As shown in Table 2, the strength reduction of the building materials in Examples 1-4 is less than 3 MPa, which is mainly attributed to the good radiation stability of the carbonation product carbonate; thus, the building materials obtained by the present invention have excellent radiation resistance.

[0037] Table 3 shows the results of the antifreeze cycling test of the building materials prepared in Examples 1-4. Antifreeze cycling test: The building materials were cycled 200 times between -196 ℃ (liquid nitrogen) and 30 ℃ (oven), and their compressive strength was measured and the surface cracking was observed.

[0038] Table 3

[0039] As shown in Table 3, the strength reduction of the building materials prepared in Examples 1-4 was less than 3.5 MPa, and no cracks were observed on the surface. This is mainly attributed to the good antifreeze properties of the carbonation product carbonate. Therefore, the building materials obtained by the present invention have excellent antifreeze properties.

Claims

1. A method for preparing building materials based on Martian simulated soil, characterized in that... Includes the following steps: (1) Activating the Martian simulated soil; the activation method includes mechanical activation followed by one of thermochemical treatment, surface modification and electrochemical treatment; (2) Add water to the activated Mars simulation soil and stir thoroughly, then press it into shape; (3) After curing the molded test block in a carbon dioxide atmosphere to a set age, it is taken out to obtain the building material based on Mars simulated soil.

2. The method for preparing building materials based on Mars simulated soil as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The chemical composition of the Martian simulated soil includes: silicon dioxide 43.9%±5.0%; magnesium oxide 14.8%±3.5%; calcium oxide 7.9%±4.0%; titanium dioxide 0.46%±0.2%; aluminum oxide 12.8%±3.0%; iron oxide 10.6%±2.0%; manganese oxide 0.11%±0.08%; sodium oxide 1.5%±0.5%; potassium oxide 0.29%±0.1%; and phosphorus pentoxide 0.17%±0.1%.

3. The method for preparing building materials based on Mars simulated soil as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The mechanical activation includes ball milling the Martian simulated soil; wherein the ratio of grinding balls to Martian simulated soil is 1:1-10:1, preferably 2:1; the ball milling speed is 200-500 r / min, preferably 400 r / min; the ball milling time is 10-60 minutes, preferably 30 minutes; and the sieve size after ball milling is below 75-100 μm, preferably below 75 μm.

4. The method for preparing building materials based on Mars simulated soil as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The thermochemical treatment includes mixing mechanically activated Martian simulated soil, calcium (magnesium)-containing materials, and flux in a certain proportion, pressing them into shape, drying, calcining, cooling, and then grinding them. The calcium (magnesium)-containing material includes, but is not limited to, one or more of calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, carbide slag, and lime; the flux includes, but is not limited to, one of sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sodium oxide, potassium carbonate, and potassium oxide; wherein, the amount of calcium (magnesium)-containing material is 10-50 wt% of the Martian simulated soil; and the amount of flux is 1-5 wt% of the Martian simulated soil. The water-to-solid ratio of the pressing molding is 0.1-0.15, and the molding pressure is 2-6 MPa; the drying conditions are drying in an oven at 105 ℃ for 24 hours; the calcination conditions are heating to 800-1200 ℃ at 5-10 ℃ / min and holding at that temperature for 2-6 hours; and grinding and sieving to below 75-100 μm.

5. The method for preparing building materials based on Mars simulated soil as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The surface modification includes mixing mechanically activated Martian simulated soil with calcium (magnesium)-containing materials in a certain proportion, hydrothermal synthesis, filtration, drying, and grinding. The calcium (magnesium)-containing material includes one or more of calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, and carbide slag; the amount of the calcium (magnesium)-containing material used is 5-30 wt% of the Martian simulated soil. The water-to-solid ratio of the hydrothermal synthesis is 1-10, the hydrothermal temperature is 120 ℃-200 ℃, and the hydrothermal time is 6-24 h; the drying conditions are a vacuum drying oven or a vacuum freeze dryer; and the material is ground and sieved to below 75-100 μm.

6. The method for preparing building materials based on Mars simulated soil as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The electrochemical treatment includes adding mechanically activated Martian simulated soil to the anode chamber of an electrolytic cell, adding electrolyte for electrolysis, followed by filtration, drying, and collection. The electrolyte is an alkali metal salt solution, specifically one of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, zinc sulfate, etc., with a concentration of 1-4 mol / L; the diaphragm of the electrolytic cell includes, but is not limited to, one of glass fiber diaphragm, naphthol diaphragm, polyethylene diaphragm, and cement diaphragm; the electrolysis voltage range is 1.48-2.5 V, and the current range is 10-100 mA / cm². 2 The drying conditions are an oven.

7. The method for preparing building materials based on Mars simulated soil as described in claim 1, characterized in that... In step (2), the water-to-solid ratio of the pressing molding is 0.1-0.2; the pressure is 2 MPa-6 MPa.

8. The method for preparing building materials based on Mars simulated soil as described in claim 1, characterized in that... In step (3), the concentration of carbon dioxide atmosphere shall not be less than 5%; the carbonization temperature shall be 20±2℃; and the curing time shall be 1-24 h.

9. The method for preparing building materials based on Mars simulated soil as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The carbon dioxide mentioned in step (3) comes from the Martian environment, specifically including the exhaled gas produced by the astronaut's life support system, the Martian atmosphere, and CO2 produced during the construction of the Martian base.

10. A building material based on Martian simulated soil, characterized in that... It is prepared using the method for preparing building materials based on Martian simulated soil as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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