Evaluación térmica de sistemas geopoliméricos basados en metacaolín con incorporación de humo de sílice y ceniza de cascarilla de arroz

 The effect of exposing metakaolin-based geopolymers to a temperature of 1200 °C was assessed using as alkaline activator a mixture of potassium hydroxide with different sources of silica: a commercial potassium silicate (PS), rice husk ash (RHA), and silica fume (SF). The amounts of metakaolin and activator in the mixture were adjusted to obtain molar ratios of 2.5 for SiO2/Al2O3 and 0,28 for K2O/SiO2. The substitution of 50% PS with RHA and SF was also studied, and the resistance to compression after exposing the mixture to different temperatures between 300 and 1200 °C was assessed. The respective physical analyses, such as determination of volumetric changes, were performed, and the study was complemented with a microstructural analysis conducted by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. At room temperature, the geopolymers presented mechanical strengths ranging between ~30 and ~36 MPa. At 1200 °C, materials originally amorphous were transformed into crystalline-type structures, specifically leucite and kalsilite. The best thermo-mechanical performance of the geopolymers was achieved by replacing 50% PS with CCA, which when exposed to 1200 °C retains 44% of its mechanical strength as compared with 26% retained by the reference material. Se presentan los resultados obtenidos al someter un material geopolimérico basado en metacaolín a una temperatura de 1.200 °C utilizando como activador alcalino una mezcla de hidróxido de potasio con diferentes fuentes de sílice: un silicato comercial de tipo potásico (SP), ceniza de cascarilla de arroz (CCA) o humo de sílice. Se ajustaron las proporciones de metacaolín y activador en la mezcla para obtener relaciones molares de SiO2/Al2O3 de 2,5 y K2O/SiO2 de 0,28. También se estudió la sustitución del 50% del silicato comercial por CCA y humo de sílice, y se evaluó la resistencia a la compresión después de exponer la mezcla a diferentes temperaturas que variaron entre 300 y 1.200 °C. Se realizaron los respectivos análisis físicos, por ejemplo determinación de cambios volumétricos, y el estudio se complementó con un análisis microestructural realizado mediante difracción de rayos X y microscopia electrónica. A temperatura ambiente, los geopolímeros producidos reportan resistencias mecánicas entre ~30 y ~36 MPa. A 1.200 °C. Se aprecia que los materiales originalmente amorfos sufren una transformación hacia estructuras de naturaleza cristalina, específicamente mediante la formación de leucita y kalsilita. Se destaca el mejor desempeño termomecánico de los geopolímeros con un remplazo del 50% de SP por CCA, el cual luego de su exposición a 1.200 °C retiene el 44% de la resistencia que presenta a temperatura ambiente en comparación con el 26% retenido por el material de referencia

Geopolímeros de tipo binario basados en una puzolana natural y escoria siderúrgica de alto horno

This study describes the synthesis at ambient temperature (25±3 °C) of binary geopolymer systems based on natural volcanic pozzolan and granulated blast furnace slag. Na2SiO3 and NaOH were used as alkaline activators. The effects of the SiO2/Al2O3, Na2O/Al2O3 ratio and the amount of slag added (from 0 to 30%) on the reaction kinetics, compressive strength and microstructure of the final product were studied. To characterise the geopolymer pastes, techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used. The results indicate the possibility of obtaining a geopolymer cement with a compressive strength of up to 48.11 MPa after 28 days of curing at ambient temperature whose characteristics are comparable to those of commercial portland cement.Este trabajo describe la síntesis a temperatura ambiente (25±3 °C) de sistemas geopoliméricos de tipo binario basados en una puzolana natural de origen volcánico y escoria siderúrgica de alto horno usando activadores alcalinos basados en la combinación de Na2SiO3 y NaOH. Se estudió el efecto de la relación SiO2/Al2O3, Na2O/Al2O3 y la cantidad de escoria adicionada en niveles entre el 0 y 30% sobre la cinética de reacción, la resistencia a la compresión y la microestructura del producto final. Para la caracterización de las pastas geopoliméricas se utilizaron técnicas como difracción de rayos X (DRX), espectroscopia infrarroja (FTIR) y microscopia electrónica de barrido (MEB). Los resultados conseguidos revelan la posibilidad de obtener un cementante geopolimérico con una resistencia a la compresión de hasta 48,11 MPa a los 28 días de curado a temperatura ambiente cuyas características son comparables a las de un cemento portland comercial

Nuevo material compuesto de matriz geopolimérica activado con ceniza de cascarilla de arroz y KOH: Desempeño a alta temperatura

Geopolymers were produced using an environmentally friendly alkali activator (based on Rice Husk Ash and potassium hydroxide). Aluminosilicates particles, carbon and ceramic fibres were used as reinforcement materials. The effects of reinforcement materials on the flexural strength, linear-shrinkage, thermophysical properties and microstructure of the geopolymers at room and high temperature (1200 ÅãC) were studied. The results indicated that the toughness of the composites is increased 110.4% for geopolymer reinforced by ceramic fibres (G-AF) at room temperature. The presence of particles improved the flexural behaviour 265% for geopolymer reinforced by carbon fibres and particles after exposure to 1200 .C. Linear-shrinkage for geopolymer reinforced by ceramic fibres and particles and the geopolymer G-AF compared with reference sample (without fibres and particles) is improved by 27.88% and 7.88% respectively at 900 ÅãC. The geopolymer materials developed in this work are porous materials with low thermal conductivity and good mechanical properties with potential thermal insulation applications for building applications.Compuestos geopoliméricos fueron producidos usando un activador alcalino alternativo (basado en ceniza de cascarilla de arroz e hidróxido de potasio), partículas aluminosilicatos, fibras de carbono y cerámicas. Se estudió el efecto de fibras y partículas en la resistencia a la flexión, contracción lineal, propiedades termofísicas y microestructura de los geopolímeros a temperatura ambiente y 1200 °C. Los resultados indican que la tenacidad se incrementó 110.4% para el geopolímero reforzado con fibras cerámicas (G-AF) a temperatura ambiente. La presencia de partículas mejora el comportamiento a la flexión 265% para el geopolímero reforzado con fibras de carbono y partículas después de la exposición a 1200 °C. La contracción lineal para el geopolímero reforzado con fibras cerámicas y partículas y el geopolímero G-AF es mejorada 27.88% y 7.88% respectivamente a 900 ºC con respecto al material sin refuerzo. Los materiales geopoliméricos desarrollados en este estudio son materiales porosos de baja conductividad térmica y buenas propiedades mecánicas con potencial aplicación en la industria de la construcción como aislantes térmicos

Estabilización de suelo arcilloso utilizando materiales cementicios activados alcalinamente

In this study, a clayey soil classified as A-7-5 according ASTM D3282, was stabilized using alkali-activated cementitious materials (AAC) added to the soil dry in percentages of 20 and 30%. Fly ash (F1, F2) with high unburned carbon content (up to 38.76%), hydrated lime (L) and granulated blast furnace slag were used. Unconfined compressive strength and flexural strength at 28 days of curing and the durability after 12 wetting-drying cycles were evaluated. The results were compared with a soil-cement reference mixture. The soil treated with AAC-F1L showed a volume expansion of 0.51% and volume contraction of -0.57% compared with the 0.59% expansion and -0.68% contraction of the soil-cement reference mixture. Additionally, the mass loss after the wetting and drying cycles is only 3.74% which is slightly lower than the mass loss of the soil stabilized with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) (3.86%) and well below the value specified in Colombian regulations (7%).En este estudio, un suelo arcilloso clasificado como A-7-5 según ASTM D3282, se estabilizó utilizando materiales activados alcalinamente (AAC) en porcentajes de 20 y 30%. Se utilizaron cenizas volantes (F1, F2) con alto contenido de inquemados (hasta 38,76%), cal hidratada (L) y escoria granulada de alto horno. Se evaluó la resistencia a la compresión confinada y la resistencia a la flexión a 28 días de curado y la durabilidad después de 12 ciclos de humectación-secado. Los resultados se compararon con una mezcla de referencia suelo-cemento. El suelo tratado con AAC-F1L mostró una expansión y contracción volumétrica del 0,51% y -0,57% respectivamente, en comparación con el 0,59% y -0,68% de la mezcla de referencia suelo-cemento. Además, la pérdida de masa después de los ciclos de humectación y secado es sólo 3.74%, valor ligeramente inferior a la del suelo estabilizado con cemento Portland (3.86%) y muy inferior al valor especificado en la normativa colombiana (7%)

Durabilidad del hormigón armado expuesto a condiciones agresivas

Reinforced concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. The combination of high compressive strength, afforded by concrete and, and the excellent mechanical properties that characterise steel make it an ideal composite for all manner of structures. One of the main weaknesses of this material, however, is that when the concrete is exposed to aggressive environments, in particular high concentrations of chloride ions or carbon dioxide, reinforcing steel corrodes, shortening service life. This article reviews the state of the art on concrete durability, along with the conditions that affect its useful life by inducing reinforcing steel corrosion. It also discusses the prevention and control methods, in particular electrochemical prevention and rehabilitation techniques, that have been developed to mitigate the problem.El hormigón armado se ha convertido en el material más utilizado a nivel mundial en el sector de la construcción. La combinación de las altas prestaciones a resistencia a la compresión que ofrece el hormigón y las excelentes propiedades mecánicas del acero lo hacen el material compuesto ideal para aplicaciones estructurales. Sin embargo, uno de los mayores problemas que afecta la vida útil del hormigón es la corrosión del acero de refuerzo, la cual se presenta cuando el hormigón se encuentra expuesto a ambientes agresivos, en especial frente a la exposición a iones cloruros y/o dióxido de carbono. Este trabajo revisa el estado del conocimiento con respecto a la durabilidad del hormigón enfatizando en los fenómenos que afectan su durabilidad y generan la corrosión del acero de refuerzo, adicionalmente se incluyen los métodos de prevención y control que se han desarrollado para mitigar el problema, en particular los relacionados con las técnicas electroquímicas de prevención y rehabilitación

Effect of equivalent sites on the dynamics of bimetallic nanoparticles

Using a Sutton and Chen interatomic potential, we study the molecular dynamics of Au- Pd nanoparticles with an initial icosahedral structure at different temperatures and concentrations, where each relative concentration of the 561-atom particles was made by placing atoms of the same species at equivalent sites, in order to identify under which conditions the melting transition temperature appears for each particle. In addition, we compute global order parameters in order to correlate the obtained results with the caloric curves of each particle. As a result, we observe that the melting transition temperature depends on the relative atomic positions of gold and palladium. The melting transition temperature of the Au-Pd alloy particles appears at higher temperature than that of the pure-gold particle. From the analysis of the structure of the particles, we found that the melting temperature increases with the proportion of gold atoms, and for those particles with a higher concentration of palladium on the surface, we observe an early migration of gold atoms before the melting transition temperature appears

Materiales vitrocerámicos obtenidos a partir de residuos sólidos tales como cenizas, escorias y vidrio: revisión

El uso de residuos y subproductos industriales como reemplazo parcial o total de materias primas vírgenes para la producción de materiales se ha convertido en una parte vital de la gestión de desechos, lo cual ha dado lugar a tecnologías innovadoras que permiten extender su aplicación al desarrollo de nuevos productos, contribuyendo así a la menor contaminación ambiental y a los conceptos de la economía circular. En los últimos años, la tecnología de vitrificación de residuos se ha considerado un procedimiento atractivo para el tratamiento de diferentes tipos y mezclas de residuos para la obtención de vidrios y vitrocerámicas. El presente artículo hace una revisión de las investigaciones relacionadas con la producción de vitrocerámicas densas realizadas entre 1994 y 2019, específicamente las que han utilizado cenizas, escorias y residuos de vidrio. La revisión revela que se han acumulado considerables conocimientos y experiencia en el proceso de transformación de los desechos base silicatos en productos útiles de vidrio y vitrocerámicas con propiedades similares e incluso superiores a los de materiales convencionales, abriendo nuevos campos de aplicación en ceramicas avanzadas

Antimicrobial-producing Pseudoalteromonas from the marine environment of Panama shows a high phylogenetic diversity and clonal structure

Pseudoalteromonas is a genus of marine bacteria often found in association with other organisms. Although several studies have examined Pseudoalteromonas diversity and their antimicrobial activity, its diversity in tropical environments is largely unexplored. We investigated the diversity of Pseudoalteromonasin marine environments of Panama using a multilocus phylogenetic approach. Furthermore we tested their antimicrobial capacity and evaluated the effect of recombination and mutation in shaping their phylogenetic relationships. The reconstruction of clonal relationships among 78 strains including 15 reference Pseudoalteromonas species revealed 43 clonal lineages, divided in pigmented and non-pigmented strains. In total, 39 strains displayed moderate to high activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Linkage disequilibrium analyses showed that the Pseudoalteromonas strains of Panama have a highly clonal structure and that, although present, recombination is not frequent enough to break the association among alleles. This clonal structure is in contrast to the high rates of recombination generally reported for aquatic and marine bacteria.We propose that this structure is likely due to the symbiotic association with marine invertebrates of most strains analyzed. Our results also show that there are several putative new species of Pseudoalteromonas in Panama to be described.Pseudoalteromonas is a genus of marine bacteria often found in association with other organisms. Although several studies have examined Pseudoalteromonas diversity and their antimicrobial activity, its diversity in tropical environments is largely unexplored. We investigated the diversity of Pseudoalteromonasin marine environments of Panama using a multilocus phylogenetic approach. Furthermore we tested their antimicrobial capacity and evaluated the effect of recombination and mutation in shaping their phylogenetic relationships. The reconstruction of clonal relationships among 78 strains including 15 reference Pseudoalteromonas species revealed 43 clonal lineages, divided in pigmented and non-pigmented strains. In total, 39 strains displayed moderate to high activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Linkage disequilibrium analyses showed that the Pseudoalteromonas strains of Panama have a highly clonal structure and that, although present, recombination is not frequent enough to break the association among alleles. This clonal structure is in contrast to the high rates of recombination generally reported for aquatic and marine bacteria.We propose that this structure is likely due to the symbiotic association with marine invertebrates of most strains analyzed. Our results also show that there are several putative new species of Pseudoalteromonas in Panama to be described

Differential expression of dnaA and dosR genes among members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex under oxic and hypoxic conditions

Major differences regarding the pathology and host immune response of the Beijing and Canettii genotypes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been reported; however, studies on the genetic expression of these genotypes during in vitro dormancy are scarce. This study examined the expression of five cell-cycle-related genes and two dormancy-related genes in M. canettii, M. tuberculosis H37Rv, and M. tuberculosis Beijing during the Wayne model of dormancy. The results showed that under hypoxic conditions the three tuberculosis genotypes were able to transcribe genes involved in DNA replication and cellular division. In addition, dosR was found to be up-regulated in M. tuberculosis Beijing during the exponential growth phase but down-regulated under hypoxic conditions. In this genotype, the replication-related gene dnaA was also strongly down-regulated. These latter two findings suggest that, compared to M. tuberculosis H37Rv and M. canettii, the Beijing genotype has a lower capacity to synthesize dosR, hspX, and dnaA mRNAs during in vitro dormancy. [Int Microbiol 2010;13(1):9-13