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Characterisation of One-Part Geopolymer Binders Made from Fly Ash

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Abstract

The kinetics of one-part “just add water” geopolymerisation reaction is studied in the system of fly ash as an aluminosilicate precursor and solid sodium silicate as alkali activator. The rates of the release of Si and Al nutrients from source materials can significantly affect their availability for reaction and their extent of participation in geopolymer gel structure. The crystalline phases that usually appear in fly ash geopolymers are missing in the one-part mix binders studied here, and by increasing the Si/Al ratio the amount of Si contribution in the final geopolymer gel is decreased. The sample with lower water content sees the participation of more Si in both stages of gel formation. Adjusting the composition of raw materials can improve the mechanical properties of the final one-part mix binder. Reasonable mechanical strength with the maximum strength of 65 MPa is achieved.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded in part by the Centre for Sustainable Resource Processing through the Geopolymer Alliance, and in part by the Australian Research Council (including partial support through the Particulate Fluids Processing Centre). The guidance and advice received from Prof John L. Provis of the University of Sheffield during the course of this research is greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Ailar Hajimohammadi

  2. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Jannie S. J. van Deventer

  3. Zeobond Pty Ltd, P.O. Box 23450, Docklands, VIC, 8012, Australia

    Jannie S. J. van Deventer

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  1. Ailar Hajimohammadi
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Correspondence to Ailar Hajimohammadi.

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Hajimohammadi, A., van Deventer, J.S.J. Characterisation of One-Part Geopolymer Binders Made from Fly Ash. Waste Biomass Valor 8, 225–233 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-016-9582-5

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