Geomaterial foams: Role assignment of raw materials in the network formation

International audienceThe geomaterial foams studied is based on geopolymerization reactions, which is a type of geosynthesis that involves silico-aluminates. Its study during formation has however revealed a different behavior than geopolymer, suggesting the formation of various networks. This work investigates the interaction between initial compounds (metakaolin, silica fume, potassium-based solution) by a kind of mixture decomposition to ultimately understand the formation mechanism of foam. The structural evolution was determined using thermal analysis, FTIR spectroscopy and 27Al and 29Si MAS-NMR measurements. The use of different raw materials in combination with various solutions demonstrates the formation of various species in solution. The reactivity of the solution will then evolve in different ways. The Si/K ratio controlled the type of species created and, particularly, the reactivity in the mixture. From the various reactions of dissolution and polycondensation that were deduced, we could identify the composition of the four networks (K 0.5SiAl 0.75O 6.8H 8.6; K 2Si 2O 5; KAlSi 2O 4,1. 5H 2O; and amorphous silica) constituting the foa