Microstructure and Mechanical Characterization of Alkali-Activated Palm Oil Fuel Ash
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 30, Issue 7
Abstract
Pastes and mortars of alkali-activated palm oil fuel ash (POFA) are synthesized with three types of alkaline solutions and are characterized for molecular functional groups by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, microstructure observation, and chemical composition by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and mechanical strength using a universal mechanical tester. The alkali activators chosen for this investigation are 12 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH), 3 M sodium silicate (), and a combination of both activators ( and NaOH) by mass ratio of . POFA with solution yields the highest compressive strength in comparison to the other activators. The main gel binder dominantly composed of silica with varying calcium/silica () ratios is analyzed by analytical techniques through FTIR and SEM-EDX.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia for research funding through Special Short Term Grant (No: F02/SpSTG/1389/16/31).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 30 • Issue 7 • July 2018
Copyright
©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 19, 2017
Accepted: Dec 6, 2017
Published online: Apr 19, 2018
Published in print: Jul 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Sep 19, 2018
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