Synthesis, Rheological Behavior and Mechanical Characterization of Structural Fast-Setting Geopolymers

Abstract

Geopolymers are inorganic materials with ceramic characteristics that can be synthesized at room temperature from the setting of slurries. Their structure consists of aluminosilicate units that polymerize in alkaline environment. The setting rate and mechanical behavior of geopolymers strongly depends on the SiO2:Al2O3 molar ratio, polymeric precursor and polymerization cation. The present work reports the synthesis and characterization of 3.5:1 (SiO2:Al2O3) structural geopolymers prepared using either metakaolin (GPMK) or kaolin (GPK) as geopolymeric precursor in potassium hydroxide solution. GPMK depicted quick setting whereas GPK set only after 4 hours. The rheological characterization of the slurries revealed that plastic viscosity and yield point of GPK were 0.40 Pa.s and 14.2 Pa, respectively, whereas GPMK set instantly. The compressive strength of both geopolymers were measured after 24 hours and resulted in similar results, i.e., 4.6 MPa for GPMK and 4.4 MPa for GPK. The strength of both geopolymers was compatible to values typical of structural materials.

The Obstacles to a Broader Application of Alkali-Activated Binders as a Sustainable Alternative—A Review

“…[88] It was used as a single precursor [21,42,63,81,85,87,[89][90][91][93][94][95]100]. In the case of binary [21,[43][44][45]57,73,88,92,[95][96][97][98][99]101,102] and ternary [101,102] precursors, it was used together with a variety of conventional and/or alternative sources [21,[43][44][45]57,73,88,92,[95][96][97][98][99]101].…”