Mechanical performance of glass-based geopolymer matrix composites reinforced with cellulose fibers

Glass-based geopolymers, incorporating fly ash and borosilicate glass, were processed in conditions of high alkalinity (NaOH 10-13 M). Different formulations (fly ash and borosilicate in mixtures of 70-30 wt% and 30-70 wt%, respectively) and physical conditions (soaking time and relative humidity) were adopted. Flexural strength and fracture toughness were assessed for samples processed in optimized conditions by three-point bending and chevron notch testing, respectively. SEM was used to evaluate the fracture micromechanisms. Results showed that the geopolymerization efficiency is strongly influenced by the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio and the curing conditions, especially the air humidity. The mechanical performances of the geopolymer samples were compared with those of cellulose fiber-geopolymer matrix composites with different fiber contents (1 wt%, 2 wt%, and 3 wt%). The composites exhibited higher strength and fracture resilience, with the maximum effect observed for the fiber content of 2 wt%. A chemical modification of the cellulose fiber surface was also observe

GEOPOL®. The innovated environment friendly inorganic binder system

This paper deals with the complete technology of inorganic geopolymer binder system GEOPOL® which is a result of long term research and development. The objective of this paper is to provide a theoretical and practical overview of the GEOPOL® binder system and introduce possible ways of moulds and cores production in foundries. GEOPOL® is a unique inorganic binder system, which is needed and welcomed in terms of the environment, the work environment, and the sustainable resources. The GEOPOL® technology is currently used in the foundries for three basic production processes/technologies: (1) for self-hardening moulding mixtures, (2) sand mixtures hardened by gaseous carbon dioxide and (3) the hot box technology with hot air hardening. The GEOPOL® technology not only solves the binder system and the ways of hardening, but also deals with the entire foundry production process. Low emissions produced during mixing of sand, moulding, handling, and pouring bring a relatively significant improvement of work conditions in foundries (no VOCs). A high percentage of the reclaim sand can be used again for the preparation of the moulding mixture.Web of Science19111610

Self-Heating Ability of Geopolymers Enhanced by Carbon Black Admixtures at Different Voltage Loads

Sustainable development in the construction industry can be achieved by the design of multifunctional materials with good mechanical properties, durability, and reasonable environmental impacts. New functional properties, such as self-sensing, self-heating, or energy harvesting, are crucially dependent on electrical properties, which are very poor for common building materials. Therefore, various electrically conductive admixtures are used to enhance their electrical properties. Geopolymers based on waste or byproduct precursors are promising materials that can gain new functional properties by adding a reasonable amount of electrically conductive admixtures. The main aim of this paper lies in the design of multifunctional geopolymers with self-heating abilities. Designed geopolymer mortars based on blast-furnace slag activated by water glass and 6 dosages of carbon black (CB) admixture up to 2.25 wt. % were studied in terms of basic physical, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties (DC). The self-heating ability of the designed mortars was experimentally determined at 40 and 100 V loads. The percolation threshold for self-heating was observed at 1.5 wt. % of carbon black with an increasing self-heating performance for higher CB dosages. The highest power of 26 W and the highest temperature increase of about 110 °C were observed for geopolymers with 2.25 wt. % of carbon black admixture at 100 V

Encapsulation of Cs/Sr contaminated clinoptilolite in geopolymers produced from metakaolin

The encapsulation of caesium (Cs) and strontium (Sr) contaminated clinoptilolite in Na and K based metakaolin geopolymers is reported. When Cs or Sr loaded clinoptilolite is mixed with a metakaolin geopolymer paste, the high pH of the activating solution and the high concentration of ions in solution cause ion exchange reactions and dissolution of clinoptilolite with release of Cs and Sr into the geopolymer matrix. The leaching of Cs and Sr from metakaolin-based geopolymer has therefore been investigated. It was found that Na-based geopolymers reduce leaching of Cs compared to K-based geopolymers and the results are in agreement with the hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB) theory. Cs ions are weak Lewis acids and aluminates are a weak Lewis base. During the formation of the geopolymer matrix Cs ions are preferentially bound to aluminate phases and replace Na in the geopolymer structure. Sr uptake by Na-geopolymers is limited to 0.4 mol Sr per mole of Al and any additional Sr is immobilised by the high pH which causes precipitation of Sr as low solubility hydroxide and carbonate phases. There was no evidence of any other phases being formed when Sr or Cs are added to metakaolin geopolymers

Highly porous mullite ceramics from engineered alkali activated suspensions

Air may be easily incorporated by vigorous mechanical stirring, with the help of surfactants, of activated geopolymer-yielding suspensions. The cellular structure is stabilized by the viscosity increase caused by curing reactions, configuring an inorganic gel casting. The present paper is aimed at extending this approach to mullite foams, obtained by the thermal treatment of engineered alkali activated suspensions. Green foams were first obtained by gel casting of a suspension for Na-geopolymer enriched with reactive -Al2O3 powders. Sodium was later extracted by ionic exchange with ammonium salts. In particular, the removal of Na+ ions was achieved by immersion in ammonium nitrate solution overnight, with retention of the cellular structure. Finally, the ion-exchanged foams were successfully converted into pure mullite foams by application of a firing treatment at 1300 degrees C, for 1hour. Preliminary results concerning the extension of the concept to mullite three-dimensional scaffolds are presented as well

Extensive reuse of soda-lime waste glass in fly ash-based geopolymers

The possibility of extensive incorporation of soda-lime waste glass in the synthesis of fly ash-based geopolymers was investigated. Using waste glass as silica supplier avoids the use of water glass solution as chemical activator. The influence of the addition of waste glass on the microstructure and strength of fly ash-based geopolymers was studied through microstructural and mechanical characterization. Leaching analyses were also carried out. The samples were developed changing the SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio and the molarity of the sodium hydroxide solution used as alkaline activator. The results suggest that increasing the amount of waste glass as well as increasing the molarity of the solution lead to the formation of zeolite crystalline phases and an improvement of the mechanical strength. Leaching results confirmed that the new geopolymers have the capability to immobilize heavy metal ions

Influence of size reduction of fly ash particles by grinding on the chemical properties of geopolymers

Chemical properties of geopolymers were evaluated from the reduction of fly ash particle size by grinding. X-ray diffraction determined that at early curing ages new crystalline phases appear in the matrix of the geopolymer and they remain for 28 days, with increases in intensities up to 60%. In Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, displacements were identified in the main band of the geopolymers at higher wavenumbers, attributed to the greater rigidity in the structures of the aluminosilicate gel due to the increase of the reaction products in the geopolymers obtained through fly ashsubjected to previous grinding, which is observable in the geopolymers matrix. Results indicate that the reduction of fly ash particle size by grinding has an influence on the chemical properties of geopolymers.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Bioactive glass-ceramic scaffolds from novel 'inorganic gel casting' and sinter-crystallization

Highly porous wollastonite-diopside glass-ceramics have been successfully obtained by a new gel-casting technique. The gelation of an aqueous slurry of glass powders was not achieved according to the polymerization of an organic monomer, but as the result of alkali activation. The alkali activation of a Ca-Mg silicate glass (with a composition close to 50 mol % wollastonite50 mol % diopside, with minor amounts of Na2O and P2O5) allowed for the obtainment of well-dispersed concentrated suspensions, undergoing progressive hardening by curing at low temperature (40 degrees C), owing to the formation of a C-S-H (calcium silicate hydrate) gel. An extensive direct foaming was achieved by vigorous mechanical stirring of partially gelified suspensions, comprising also a surfactant. The open-celled structure resulting from mechanical foaming could be frozen' by the subsequent sintering treatment, at 900-1000 degrees C, causing substantial crystallization. A total porosity exceeding 80%, comprising both well-interconnected macro-pores and micro-pores on cell walls, was accompanied by an excellent compressive strength, even above 5 MPa

Study on properties of geopolymers for application in transport means

Disertační práce je věnovaná studiu alkalicky aktivovaných materiálů na bázi elektrárenského popílku, zejména možnosti jejich využití jako vysokoteplotních tmelů pro aplikace v dopravní technice. Adheze geopolymerů s kovem nebyla dodnes široce studovaná. Tato práce je zaměřena zejména na vyhledávání optimálního složení tmelu, které by odpovídalo požadavkům na vysokoteplotní tmely a kromě toho aby byly cenově srovnatelné podobnými materiály již existujícími na trhu.This doctoral thesis deals with a study of alkali activated materials based on fly ash, above all the possibility of their application as high temperature sealants in transport means. Adhesive bonding of geopolymers with steel haven?t been studied widely till nowadays. This work is mainly concentrated on optimal sealant composition search, which would respond to main requirements to high temperature sealants, besides would have a competitive price in comparison with the similar materials existent in the market.Katedra mechaniky, materiálů a částí strojůPrezentace doktorské dizertační práce Přečtení posudků Odpovědi na připomínky oponentů Rozprava Tajné hlasování Vyhlášení výsledku tajného hlasován