Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the influence of various reaction conditions, namely the silica modulus SiO2/Na2O, H2O/Na2O molar ratio, and liquid/solid ratio on the geopolymerization reaction of the waste fired clay bricks (Grog). The starting raw material and the generated geopolymer specimens produced by different geopolymerization reaction conditions have been characterized using different techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermal analysis. Furthermore, physico–mechanical characterization has been carried out through the determination of bulk density, porosity, water absorption, and compressive strength for each sample at interval curing times of up to 28 days. The results indicated that the geopolymerization system of the waste fired clay bricks is influenced by the investigated reaction conditions at room temperature. The compressive strength of the geopolymer sample produced at optimum conditions increased significantly by up to 37.5 MPa, in comparison with 4.5 MPa for other conditions. Finally, an optimum recommendation and useful conclusions concerning the recycling and utilization of this waste material through the geopolymerization process are made for compatibility with construction applications.
Highlights
Waste fired clay bricks (Grog) are classified as a waste material generated by the clay bricks manufacture process and are accumulated in large amounts
Geopolymer materials are considered to be a class of inorganic polymer materials consisting mainly of an amorphous phase composed of a silicon or aluminum atom linked to four oxygen atoms by covalent bonds [3]
The bulk density of the geopolymer increased from 1.94 to 2.09 g/cm3 as the silica modulus molar ratio of the used alkaline solution increased from 0.5 to 1.25–1.5 and the curing time increased to 28 days for all synthesized geopolymer specimens
Summary
Waste fired clay bricks (Grog) are classified as a waste material generated by the clay bricks manufacture process and are accumulated in large amounts. Annual production of this industrial by-product makes up approximately 5 wt.% of the total mass production of clay bricks. This waste material causes many critical environmental problems due to its disposal over a large landfill area as well as contamination of the surrounding region.
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