Influence of the Nature and Rate of Alkaline Activator on the Physicochemical Properties of Fly Ash-Based Geopolymers

The influence of alkali cations on mix design of geopolymers is essential for their mechanical, thermal, and electrical performance. This research investigated the influence of alkali cation type on microscale characteristics and mechanical, dielectric, and thermal properties of fly ash-based geopolymer matrices. The geopolymers were elaborated via class F fly ash from the thermal plant Jorf Lasfar, El Jadida (Morocco), and several alkaline solutions. Morphological, structural, mechanical, dielectric, and thermal characteristics of materials synthesized via fly ash with different proportions of KOH and NaOH aged 28 days were evaluated. The physicochemical properties of class F fly ash-based geopolymers were assessed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) analyses. Based on readings of the results obtained, XRD and FTIR analysis detected the creation of semicrystalline potassium/sodium aluminate-silicate hydrate (KASH/NASH) gel in the elaborated matrices after the geopolymerization reaction. The SEM analysis proved the formation of alkali alumina-silicate hydrate gel in the raw material particles after the polycondensation stage. Experimental compressive strength data indicated that the highest compressive strength (39 MPa) was produced by the alkaline activator (75% KOH/25% NaOH). The dielectric parameters values of the elaborated materials changed depending of the mass ratios KOH/NaOH. Dielectric findings demonstrated that geopolymers containing 100% NaOH have better dielectric performances. The fire resistance study revealed that the geopolymer binders induced by KOH are stable up to 600°C. Based on these results, it can be deduced that the formulated geopolymer concrete possesses good mechanical, dielectric, and fire resistance properties