Geopolymer synthesis has two main requirements to fulfil which are the source material that is rich in Silicon (Si) and Aluminum (Al) and alkali activator such as sodium/potassium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is widely used for the synthesis of geopolymer compared to potassium hydroxide (KOH) with addition of silicate solution for the purpose of increasing dissolution process. However, the comparison of using different activator in the absence of silicate solution for geopolymer synthesis is not well established. This paper presents an evaluation on compressive strength of fly ash–based geopolymer by using different activator (KOH and NaOH) with respect to different curing conditions (time and temperature) in the absence of sodium silicate. The samples were mixed using mortar mixer and prepared in 50mm x 50mm x 50mm mould for determination of compressive strength. It can be observed that the highest compressive strength up 65.28 MPa was obtained using NaOH. Meanwhile, synthesis using KOH only recorded 28.73 MPa. The compressive strength was better when cured at elevated temperature (60°C) than room temperature (25°C). Further analysis on the microstructure of the highest compressive strength geopolymer samples for both activators was carried out using Field Emission Scanning Microscopy (FESEM) and Raman spectroscopy.

Geopolymer is produced from the alkali activation of materials rich in Si and Al with addition of silicate solution in order to improve the mechanical property. Limited research has been done with the absence of silicate solution in the geopolymerization process by varying solid/liquid ratio and on how it works for that condition on mechanical and physical properties. This paper presents an investigation on the mechanical and physical properties of fly ash based geopolymer by varying solid to liquid ratio using sodium hydroxide as the only activator. In addition, the strength development also been investigated. The samples were prepared using 50mm x 50mm x 50mm mould and cured at an elevated temperature (60oC). It can be observed that the optimum compressive strength and density were obtained at solid/ liquid ratio of 4. In addition, the compressive strength of fly ash based geopolymer for all the solid to liquid ratio increased until 14 days and started to decrease later.

Geopolymer is associated with the alkali activation of materials rich in Si and Al, and alkali activator such as sodium hydroxide is used for the dissolution of raw material with the addition of sodium silicate solution to increase the dissolution process. However, the trend of strength development of geopolymer using sodium hydroxide alone is not well established. This paper presents an evaluation on compressive strength of fly ash–based geopolymer by varying curing time with respect to different curing temperature using sodium hydroxide as the only activator. The samples were cured at room temperature and at an elevated temperature (60°C). Further analysis on the microstructure of geopolymer products cured at 60°C was carried out using Field Emission Scanning Microscopy (FESEM). It can be observed that the compressive strength increased as the curing time increased when cured at room temperature; whereas at elevated temperature, the strength increased up to a maximum 65.28 MPa at 14 days but gradually decreased at longer curing time. Better compressive strength can be obtained when the geopolymer was cured at an elevated temperature compared to curing at room temperature.

The aim of this work was to study on the solidification kinetics of geopolymer using the Avrami Kinetics Theory by varying types of alkali solution and alkali concentration at different temperatures. Tests were carried out using Leatherhead Food Research Association (LFRA) Texture Analyzer to analyze the solidification profile. The results indicated that potassium hydroxide at low concentration had better performance in achieving faster time for geopolymerization process. Higher temperatures of 35°C used in the solidifying process of the geopolymer reduced the setting time. Based on the kinetic study, the growth rate (K) increased with the concentration of alkali activator and temperature. The Avrami exponent (n) trend was increased as growth rate increased. From the values of Avrami exponent obtained it could be suggested that the geopolymer had one, two or three dimension growth forms depending on the parameters selected.