The Effect of the Concentration of Alkaline Activator and Aging Time on the Structure of Metakaolin Based Geopolymer

Authors

  • Marija Ivanović Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute for Nuclear Sciences Vinča, University of Belgrade
  • Ljiljana Kljajević Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute for Nuclear Sciences Vinča, University of Belgrade
  • Jelena Gulicovski Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute for Nuclear Sciences Vinča, University of Belgrade
  • Marijana Petkovic CQM-Madeira Chemistry Research Centre, University of Madeira
  • Ivona Jankovic-Castvan Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade
  • Dušan Bučevac Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute for Nuclear Sciences Vinča, University of Belgrade
  • Snežana Nenadović Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute for Nuclear Sciences Vinča, University of Belgrade

Abstract

This paper outlines the production of an inorganic polymer/geopolymer using a metakaolin by an environmental friendly, energy saving, clean technology to conserve natural environment and resources. The influence of alkali activation, i.e. different concentration of NaOH as a component of alkali activator mixture on the process of geopolymerization of metakaolin is investigated. Also, process of aging time of geopolymer is followed by several analytical methods. The structure of metakaolin and metakaolin based geopolymers and their physicochemical properties were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and after 28 days scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was applied for the surface characterization of the samples. A shift of the Si-O or Si-O-X (X=Al, Si, Na...) bands as the molarity of activator increasing during geopolymerization process was observed by FTIR. Mass spectra of geopolymers were characterized by MALDI TOF mass spectrometer. Structural reorganization of geopolymer samples occurs during the curing/aging in accordance with a geopolymerization mechanism.

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Published

2020-05-05

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 2 (2020)

Section

Articles