Abstract
For the purpose of promoting a viable alternative to traditional Portland cement, geopolymers were prepared by mixing thermally treated natural clay and sodium hydroxide instead of sodium silicate followed by ageing under extreme humidity for a short duration. (Micro)-structure of these binary blends was investigated using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy and Thermal analysis. Zeolite ZK-14 (geopolymeric product), trona (carbonation product) and nepheline-type feldspathoid were newly detected in the studied specimens. An attempt was made to predict the type of crystallized zeolites and the suitability of studied materials for potential building applications by means of empirical ternary diagrams. The simultaneous influences of parameters (NaOH concentration, time and ageing temperature) on properties (flexural strength, density.water absorption and open porosity) were assessed by referring to the response surface methodology via polynomial models. The concurrent rise of factors (NaOH concentration and time) or (temperature and time) improved the strength and density as opposed to the remaining properties. These results were discussed in sight of the (micro)-structural characterization.
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