Experimental Study of Geopolymer Synthesized with Class F Fly Ash and Low-Calcium Slag
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 29, Issue 10
Abstract
This paper presents an experimental study on geopolymer synthesized with class F fly ash (FA) and low-calcium slag (SG). Geopolymer specimens were produced using FA and SG at different relative amounts (, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100/0), NaOH solution at different concentrations (7.5, 10, and 15 M), various curing times (1, 2, 4, 7, 14, and 28 days) and curing temperatures [25 (ambient), 45, 60, 75, and 90°C]. The unit weight and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the geopolymer specimens were measured. Scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were also performed to characterize the microstructure and phase composition of the geopolymer specimens. The results indicate that the incorporation of SG not only increases the UCS of the geopolymer specimens but also decreases the initial water content and, thus, the NaOH consumption at the same NaOH concentration required for geopolymer production. In addition, the inclusion of SG increases the unit weight of the geopolymer specimens, simply because SG has a much greater specific gravity than FA. The results also show that the strength of the FA/SG-based geopolymer develops rapidly, with a major portion of the UCS (approximately 70%) gained within only 2 days and no obvious strength gain after 7 days. The optimum curing temperature (the curing temperature at which the maximum UCS is obtained) at a FA/SG ratio of 50/50 is around 75°C. This research contributes to the knowledge of geopolymers produced from a combination of source materials and promotes the reuse of wastes through geopolymerization.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Ahmari, S., Parameswaran, K., and Zhang, L. (2014). “Alkali activation of copper mine tailings and low-calcium flash-furnace copper smelter slag.” J. Mater. Civil Eng., 04014193.
Ahmari, S., and Zhang, L. (2013). “Utilization of cement kiln dust (CKD) to enhance mine tailings–based geopolymer bricks.” Constr. Build. Mater., 40, 1002–1011.
Ahmari, S., Zhang, L., and Zhang, J. (2012). “Effects of activator type/concentration and curing temperature on alkali-activated binder based on copper mine tailings.” J. Mater. Sci., 47(16), 5933–5945.
Al Bakri, A. M. M., Kamarudin, H., Bnhussain, M., Nizar, I. K., Rafiza, A. R., and Zarina, Y. (2011). “Microstructure of different NaOH molarity of fly ash based green polymeric cement.” J. Eng. Tech. Res., 3(2), 44–49.
Allahverdi, A., Najafi Kani, E., and Yazdanipour, M. (2011). “Effects of blast furnace slag on natural pozzolan-based geopolymer cement.” Ceram.-Silik., 55(1), 68–78.
Alonso, S., and Palomo, A. (2001). “Alkaline activation of metakaolin and calcium hydroxide mixtures: Influence of temperature, activator concentration and solids ratio.” Mater. Lett., 47(1–2), 55–62.
ASTM. (2004). “Standard test methods for particle-size distribution (gradation) of soils using sieve analysis.” ASTM D6913, West Conshohocken, PA.
ASTM. (2007). “Standard test method for particle-size analysis of soils.” ASTM D422, West Conshohocken, PA.
Cristiane, G. K., Lima, G. S. T., Marden, T. S., Silvio, D. B., Frota, V. I., and Perazzo, B. N. (2010). “Iron distribution in geopolymer with ferromagnetic rich precursor.” Mater. Sci. Forum, 643, 131–138.
Cyr, M., Idir, R., and Poinot, T. (2012). “Properties of inorganic polymer (geopolymer) mortars made of glass cullet.” J. Mater. Sci., 47(6), 2782–2797.
Duxson, P., Provis, J. L., Lukey, G. C., Mallicoat, S. W., Kriven, W. M., and Van Deventer, J. S. J. (2005). “Understanding the relationship between geopolymer composition, microstructure and mechanical properties.” Colloids Surf., A, 269(1–3), 47–58.
He, J., Zhang, J., Yu, Y., and Zhang, G. (2012). “The strength and microstructure of two geopolymers derived from metakaolin and red mud–fly ash admixture: A comparative study.” Constr. Build. Mater., 30, 80–91.
Heah, C. Y., et al. (2012). “Study on solids-to-liquid and alkaline activator ratios on kaolin-based geopolymers.” Constr. Build. Mater., 35, 912–922.
Jang, J. G., Lee, N. K., and Lee, H. K. (2014). “Fresh and hardened properties of alkali-activated fly ash/slag pastes with superplasticizers.” Constr. Build. Mater., 50, 169–176.
Khale, D., and Chaudhary, R. (2007). “Mechanism of geopolymerization and factors influencing its development: A review.” J. Mater. Sci., 42(3), 729–746.
Komnitsas, K., Zaharaki, D., and Perdikatsis, V. (2007). “Geopolymerisation of low calcium ferronickel slags.” J. Mater. Sci., 42(9), 3073–3082.
Komnitsas, K., Zaharaki, D., and Perdikatsis, V. (2009). “Effect of synthesis parameters on the compressive strength of low-calcium ferronickel slag inorganic polymers.” J. Hazard. Mater., 161(2–3), 760–768.
Kumar, S., Kumar, R., and Mehrotra, S. P. (2010). “Influence of granulated blast furnace slag on the reaction, structure and properties of fly ash based geopolymer.” J. Mater. Sci., 45(3), 607–615.
Li, Z., and Liu, S. (2007). “Influence of slag as additive on compressive strength of fly ash–based geopolymer.” J. Mater. Civil Eng., 470–474.
Liew, Y. M., et al. (2012). “Processing and characterization of calcined kaolin cement powder.” Constr. Build. Mater., 30, 794–802.
Lloyd, R. R., Provis, J. L., and Deventer, J. S. J. (2009). “Microscopy and microanalysis of inorganic polymer cements. 1: Remnant fly ash particles.” J. Mater. Sci., 44(2), 608–619.
Maragkos, I., Giannopoulou, I. P., and Panias, D. (2009). “Synthesis of ferronickel slag-based geopolymers.” Mineral Eng., 22(2), 196–203.
Puertas, F., Ramirez, S. M., Alonso, S., and Vazquez, T. (2000). “Alkali-activated fly ash/slag cement strength behaviour and hydration products.” Cem. Concr. Res., 30(10), 1625–1632.
Rovnanik, P. (2010). “Effect of curing temperature on the development of hard structure of metakaolin-based geopolymer.” Constr. Build. Mater., 24(7), 1176–1183.
Sadat, M., Bringuier, S., Muralidharan, K., Asaduzzaman, A., Runge, K., and Zhang, L. (2016). “An atomistic characterization of the interplay between composition, structure and mechanical properties of amorphous geopolymer binders.” J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 434, 53–61.
Shadnia, R., Zhang, L., and Li, P. (2015). “Experimental study of geopolymer mortar with incorporated PCM.” Constr. Build. Mater., 84, 95–102.
Sindhunata, J. S. J. van Deventer, Lukey, G. C., and Xu, H. (2006). “Effect of curing temperature and silicate concentration on fly-ash-based geopolymerization.” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 45(10), 3559–3568.
Steveson, M., and Crentsil, K. S. (2005a). “Relationships between composition, structure and strength of inorganic polymers. I: Metakaolin-derived inorganic polymers.” J. Mater. Sci., 40(8), 2023–2036.
Steveson, M., and Crentsil, K. S. (2005b). “Relationships between composition, structure and strength of inorganic polymers. II: Fly ash-derived inorganic polymers.” J. Mater. Sci., 40(16), 4247–4259.
Xu, H., and Van Deventer, J. S. J. (2003). “Effect of source materials on geopolymerization.” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 42(8), 1698–1706.
Yunsheng, Z., Wei, S., and Zongjin, L. (2010). “Composition design and microstructural characterization of calcined kaolin-based geopolymer cement.” Appl. Clay Sci., 47(3–4), 271–275.
Zaharaki, D., Komnitsas, K., and Perdikatsis, V. (2007). “Factors affecting the performance of waste-based geopolymers.” Proc., 6th Int. Congress on Valorisation and Recycling of Industrial Waste (CD-ROM), L’Aquila, Italy.
Zhang, L., Ahmari, S., and Zhang, J. (2011). “Synthesis and characterization of fly ash modified mine tailings–based geopolymers.” Constr. Build. Mater., 25(9), 3773–3781.
Zhang, M., El-Korchi, T., Zhang, G., Liang, J., and Tao, M. (2014). “Synthesis factors affecting mechanical properties, microstructure, and chemical composition of red mud–fly ash based geopolymers.” Fuel, 134, 315–325.
Zhang, Y., Sun, W., Chen, Q., and Chen, L. (2007). “Synthesis and heavy metal immobilization behaviors of slag based geopolymers.” J. Hazard. Mater., 143(1–2), 206–213.
Zheng, L., Wang, W., and Shi, Y. (2010). “The effects of alkaline dosage and Si/Al ratio on the immobilization of heavy metals in municipal solid waste incineration fly ash–based geopolymer.” Chemosphere, 79(6), 665–671.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 9, 2016
Accepted: May 2, 2017
Published online: Jul 24, 2017
Published in print: Oct 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Dec 24, 2017
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.