Magnesium silicate hydrate cement (M-S-H) can be formed from magnesium
oxide (MgO) and silica phases which offer unique properties compared to
traditional calcium-based Portland cement (PC). The present study explores
the transformation of a magnesium trisilicate material (Mg 2 Si 3 O8 ) into the
precursor phases of M-S-H cement via the electrolysis of water. The
investigation examines the change in pH as a consequence of water
electrolysis, resulting in the dissolution of the Mg2 Si 3 O8 and formation of
Mg(OH)2 and SiO2 . The material phases collected after dissolution are
characterized via SEM, EDX, XRD, IR, 29 Si NMR and BET analysis. The results
indicate brucite accumulates in large platelet-like structures and analysis of
the residual silicate phase present after electrolysis-induced dissolution reveal
protons have replaced the Mg2+ ions. Amorphous SiO2 can be recovered from
the system through pH adjustment, producing SiO2 with a high surface area
ideal for cement production. As this process is conducted electrochemically,
this approach to silicate material transformation represents an avenue toward
cement manufacturing devoid of CO2 emissions. Through carbon-curing, the
M-S-H cement can constitute a carbon-negative system. Mg 2 Si 3 O8 , a
synthetic material, serves as a model for extrapolating this processes to
earth-abundant silicate minerals enabling their potential use in large-scale
sustainable cement manufacturing.