Review of the research progress of magnesium oxysulfate cement and its recent application in green manufacturing

The construction industry, as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, is facing an urgent need for sustainable development solutions. Materials and products based on magnesium oxysulfate cement (MOS) are attractive for building energy efficiency and environmental protection while guaranteeing performance. The properties of MOS-based materials can also be tailored by selecting appropriate raw material ratios, maintenance environments, aggregates and admixtures so as to optimize them according to the characteristics of various types of industrial and agricultural wastes. The prospects for the application of its products in the treatment of hazardous wastes, the fixation of carbon dioxide, and the recycling of low-cost industrial and agricultural wastes should be favored. However, the issues of water resistance or durability, as well as the economics of the feedstock, have been the focus of MOS research. These challenges limit the large-scale application of MOS-based materials. In order to address these issues, this paper presents a comprehensive literature review published between 2014 and 2025. This study reviews the extant literature on the properties of MOS products, including the effects of raw materials, mixing ratios and maintenance conditions on their properties. It focuses on the recent studies on the hydration products and hydration mechanisms of MOS systems, and analyses in detail the research on the modification of MOS. The objective is to facilitate a more profound comprehension of the prospective applications, performance attributes, and cutting-edge advancements of MOS in the domain of building materials among policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers.