Abstract
This paper deals with the characterization of perlite-based geopolymer pastes, using fine perlite as raw material. The present study examined the effects of the main synthesis parameters such as perlite to activator ratio, NaOH concentration, the addition of soluble silica to the activator, and curing temperatureon the setting time, the stability in an aquatic environment, the viscosity of the paste, and the compressive strength of the solidified geopolymers. The results showed that these inorganic polymer pastes are non-Newtonian shear thinning fluids that achieve low viscosities at high shear stresses. The optimum synthesis conditions for the geopolymer pastes proved to be a) a low initial NaOH concentration in the alkaline phase (2–5 M) and b) a solid to liquid ratio of 1.2–1.4 g/mL. If very fast setting is necessary, the pastes should be prepared with a soluble silica-doped alkaline activating phase and cured at high temperatures around 90 °C.
Highlights
Geopolymerization is an innovative technology that can utilize solid aluminosilicate raw materials and alkali metal silicate solutions to produce new materials characterized by three-dimensional polymeric structures called geopolymers or inorganic polymers [1]
The geopolymerization process is based on an exothermic heterogeneous chemical reaction between a solid aluminosilicate raw material and an alkali metal silicate solution under atmospheric conditions and at temperatures up to 100 °C
This paper deals with the characterization of perlite-based geopolymer pastes, using fine perlite as raw material
Summary
Geopolymerization is an innovative technology that can utilize solid aluminosilicate raw materials (powders) and alkali metal silicate solutions to produce new materials characterized by three-dimensional polymeric structures called geopolymers or inorganic polymers [1]. Extensive research in the field of geopolymeric synthesis in recent decades has proved that geopolymers possess excellent mechanical and physicochemical properties. This paper deals with the characterization of perlite-based geopolymer pastes, using fine perlite as raw material It studies the effects of the main synthesis parameters—such as perlite-to-activator ratio (S/L), NaOH and soluble silica concentrations in the activator, and curing temperature—on the setting time and rheological properties of the geopolymer pastes synthesized
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