Environmental Internship Program - 2023 Booklet

John Kim ’25
PHYSICS
Certificates: Engineering Physics, Materials
Science and Engineering
PROJECT TITLE
Calcio-olivine Synthesis
ORGANIZATION(S)
Sustainable Cements
Group, Department of
Civil and Environmental
Engineering and the
Andlinger Center
for Energy and the
Environment, Princeton
University
LOCATION(S)
Princeton, New Jersey
MENTOR(S)
Claire White,
Associate Professor of
Civil and Environmental
Engineering and the
Andlinger Center for
Energy and the
Environment; Kumaran
Coopamootoo,
Postdoctoral Research
Associate, Andlinger
Center for Energy and the
Environment
I investigated the methods and conditions
for synthesizing calcio-olivine (γ-Ca 2
SiO 4
), a
silicate that could be used to reduce carbon
emissions associated with cement production.
The manufacturing of Portland cement is a
substantial contributor to anthropogenic carbon
emissions. Cement-based silicate constituents
like calcio-olivine have demonstrated CO 2
mineralization, which, if well understood,
could be utilized to develop sustainable cement
that cures with CO 2
. To further study the
characteristics of calcio-olivine, synthesizing
the material with a high purity level is essential.
I aimed to optimize and perfect the synthesis
process by modulating various synthesis
parameters such as precursor molar ratio,
heating rate, calcination temperature and time,
and cooling rate. I used visual observations
and X-ray diffraction to analyze the impact of
different conditions parameters, and performed
the Rietveld refinement technique on the X-ray
diffraction data to ultimately calculate the
degree of crystallinity. With this internship,
I gained more experimental experience in
materials science, a subject that I have always
been interested in. After this project, I feel
comfortable committing and delving deeper into
the field. Moreover, I appreciated the opportunity
to pursue my academic passion while also
tackling climate-related issues.
INNOVATION AND A
NEW ENERGY FUTURE
75