Urban air pollution, particularly from vehicle emissions and industrial sources, creates concentrated zones of particulate matter and harmful gases in densely populated areas. Current measurements show PM2.5 levels regularly exceeding 50 μg/m³ in many cities, while nitrogen oxide concentrations can reach 200 μg/m³ near high-traffic zones—levels well above WHO guidelines for healthy air quality.

The fundamental challenge lies in developing construction materials that can actively remove pollutants from the air while maintaining the structural integrity and durability required for building applications.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including electrolytic manganese slag-based formulations, corundum blends with modified zirconium oxide, and ceramsite concrete compositions with enhanced absorption properties. These and other approaches focus on creating practical building materials that combine pollution remediation capabilities with the mechanical properties needed for construction use.

1. Brick Comprising Electrolytic Manganese Slag with Calcium Oxide and Sodium Chloride Additives

UNIV CENTRAL SOUTH, 2023

A high-strength, environmentally friendly, non-burning brick made from electrolytic manganese slag that achieves superior mechanical properties and reduced environmental impact. The brick combines high manganese content with enhanced strength, durability, and resistance to leaching of heavy metals through a proprietary combination of heavy metal inhibitors. The brick's formulation includes a calcium oxide-based curing agent, expansion agent, and sodium chloride-based heavy metal inhibitor, which work together to maintain optimal internal pH conditions and prevent premature hydration. The brick's unique formulation enables improved mechanical performance and reduced environmental pollution compared to conventional non-burning bricks.

CN116835949A-patent-drawing

2. Corundum Brick with Phosphoric Acid-Modified Zirconium Oxide and Variable Composition for Enhanced Acid and Salt Resistance

YIXING JINQI ENERGY SAVING TECH CO LTD, 2023

Acid-resistant and salt-resistant modified corundum brick for rotary kiln in hazardous waste incineration system, comprising 45-50% dense fused corundum, 20-30% brown corundum, 10-15% phosphoric acid-modified zirconium oxide complex, 10-15% andalusite, and 5-10% silica fume. The brick formulation includes 50% dense fused corundum, 30% brown corundum, 15% phosphoric acid-modified zirconium oxide complex, 15% andalusite, and 10% silica fume. The phosphoric acid-modified zirconium oxide complex enhances the brick's acid resistance while maintaining its thermal stability.

CN116102343A-patent-drawing

3. Low-Carbon Aluminum-Magnesium-Carbon Brick with Specific Composite Material Composition

HAICHENG LIER MAIGE XITA MAT CO LTD, 2022

A low-carbon aluminum-magnesium-carbon brick with enhanced thermal shock resistance and slag erosion performance. The brick combines high alumina rocky soil, fused magnesia, aluminum-magnesium spinel powder, aluminum-calcium slag powder, graphite, and activated alumina micropowder in a specific weight ratio. The composition includes rare earth oxide lanthanum oxide powder and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate. The resulting brick exhibits improved thermal shock resistance, slag erosion resistance, and service life compared to conventional low-carbon bricks.

4. Permeable Brick Comprising Waste Ceramic and Electrolytic Manganese Slag-Based Aggregate

CHENGDU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, 成都工业学院, 2022

Permeable brick with enhanced heavy metal and phosphorus removal capabilities through a combination of waste ceramic and electrolytic manganese slag-based aggregate. The brick combines waste ceramic particles with electrolytic manganese slag, which are combined with kaolin and zeolite to create a reinforced structure. This synergistic blend provides superior mechanical properties while enabling rapid bonding and efficient filtration of pollutants. The resulting permeable brick demonstrates improved heavy metal and phosphorus removal compared to conventional materials, making it a valuable solution for environmental remediation applications.

5. Sintered Brick with Desulfurized White Mud and Low Sulfur Emission

GUANGXI LAIBIN DONTA PAPER INDUSTRY CO LTD, LAIBIN XINWANG NEW BUILDING MATERIALS CO LTD, Guangxi Laibin Dongtang Paper Co., Ltd., 2020

White mud sintered brick with low sulfur emission and preparation method thereof. The brick achieves high strength and low sintering temperature through the use of white mud for desulfurization at the sintering process. The white mud is processed to remove sulfur compounds before being incorporated into the sintering mixture, significantly reducing sulfur emissions during the firing process.

CN110357583B-patent-drawing

6. High-Density Refractory Brick Comprising Magnesia Particles and Fine Magnesia Powder

HAICHENG LIERMAI GEXITA MATERIAL CO LTD, 2019

Environmentally friendly high-density refractory brick for RH refining furnaces that replaces traditional magnesia bricks with a non-ming process. The brick contains 70-80% magnesia particles and 20-30% fine magnesia powder, providing superior thermal insulation and durability while eliminating hexavalent chromium emissions.

7. Porous Ceramsite Concrete Brick with Integrated Water-Absorbing Properties

XIANYANG NONMETAL MINE RESEARCH AND DESIGN CO LTD, Xianyang Non-metallic Mineral Research and Design Institute Co., Ltd., XIAN GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CENTER CHINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 2019

A lightweight, porous ceramsite concrete brick that enhances building construction by incorporating water-absorbing and adsorbing properties. The brick combines ordinary concrete components with ceramsite, a porous, non-metallic material that improves durability and water management. This innovative combination enables the brick to achieve superior strength, durability, and water retention compared to conventional concrete bricks, while maintaining its lightweight and cost-effective characteristics.

8. Corundum Brick with Dense and Brown Corundum Blend and Additives for Gasification Furnaces

XINYI BEIMEI HIGH-TECH REFRACTORY MATERIALS CO LTD, 2019

Environmentally friendly corundum brick for gasification furnaces, produced through a novel combination of dense corundum, brown corundum, and specific additives. The brick composition balances density, strength, and chemical stability, while achieving high-temperature performance and resistance to corrosion. The production process involves a precise blend of powder mixtures, controlled milling, and precise pressing, followed by controlled thermal processing. This approach enables the production of high-quality corundum bricks with improved environmental sustainability and performance compared to conventional corundum products.

9. Brick Composed of Natural and Recycled Aggregates with Enhanced Thermal Insulation and Durability

Linyi Shunhong Ceramic Co., Ltd., LINYI SHUNHONG ARCHITECTURAL CERAMICS CO., LTD., 2018

A green wall brick made from a sustainable alternative to traditional clay, offering improved performance while minimizing environmental impact. The brick utilizes a novel combination of natural and recycled materials, such as recycled glass aggregate and recycled concrete aggregate, to create a durable and eco-friendly building material. This innovative blend enables the production of bricks with enhanced thermal insulation properties, improved durability, and reduced environmental footprint compared to traditional clay-based bricks.

10. Brick Comprising Natural Clay and Sustainable Alternative with Enhanced Thermal Insulation and Durability

WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF SHANDONG PROVINCE, 山东省水利科学研究院, 2018

A green brick alternative to traditional clay bricks that achieves enhanced performance while reducing environmental impact. The brick utilizes a novel raw material combination, such as a combination of natural clay and a sustainable alternative, to create a material with improved thermal insulation, durability, and sustainability compared to traditional clay bricks. This innovative material enables the construction of environmentally friendly buildings while minimizing the environmental footprint of the traditional clay brick production process.

CN105541362B-patent-drawing

11. Brick Composed of Alternative Raw Materials with Enhanced Thermal Insulation and Durability

Linyi Shunhong Ceramic Co., Ltd., LINYI SHUNHONG ARCHITECTURAL CERAMICS CO., LTD., 2018

A green, high-performance brick made from alternative raw materials, such as fly ash, silica fume, or other industrial by-products, that replaces traditional clay bricks while maintaining superior thermal insulation properties. The brick's unique composition and manufacturing process enable enhanced durability, thermal resistance, and sustainability compared to conventional clay bricks, making it an attractive alternative for environmentally conscious construction applications.

12. Non-Chrome Breathable Brick with Corundum Matrix and Spinel Superfine Powder

Zhejiang Kete High Temperature New Material Co., Ltd., ZHEJIANG KETE HIGH TEMPERATURE NEW MATERIAL CO LTD, 2017

A non-chrome breathable brick for steel smelting that combines ultra-low cement content, fine alumina spinel powder, and a high-performance dispersant to achieve superior thermal stability and permeability compared to traditional chromium-containing breathable bricks. The brick's corundum-based matrix and spinel superfine powder formulation enables enhanced thermal resistance and resistance to slag erosion, while the dispersant enhances the brick's mechanical properties. This innovative combination provides a durable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective solution for steel smelting operations.

CN105272314B-patent-drawing

13. Refractory Castable Material with Magnesia, Marble, Perlite, Spinel Matrix and Integrated Waste Components

NINGXIA TIANZHONG HONGGUANG COGENERATION TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, Ningxia Tianzong Hongguang Waste Heat Power Generation Technology Co., Ltd., 2016

A refractory castable material that combines high strength, corrosion resistance, and reduced environmental impact. The material comprises a refractory aggregate matrix of magnesia, marble stone, perlite, and spinel, with a specific composition of 25% coarse aggregate, 45% fine aggregate, 30% zirconia fibers, and 15% waste materials such as coal waste, brick waste, and waste porcelain. The composition is optimized to achieve superior mechanical properties while minimizing the use of raw materials and reducing production costs.

14. Continuous Casting Method for Carbon Black Brick Using Waste Magnesia Carbon Brick and Magnesium Foresterite

长兴攀江冶金材料有限公司, CHANGXING PANJIANG METALLURGICAL MATERIALS CO LTD, 2015

A waste magnesia carbon brick black coating material preparation method that utilizes waste magnesia carbon brick and magnesium foresterite as primary raw materials. The method involves continuous casting of the waste magnesia carbon brick and magnesium foresterite mixture into a carbon black brick, where the waste magnesia carbon brick acts as the base material. The magnesium foresterite serves as a primary component, enabling the production of a carbon black brick with improved properties. This approach enables the efficient use of waste materials while achieving cost-effective and environmentally responsible production of carbon black bricks.

CN103467112B-patent-drawing

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