Morphology of Lightweight Metakaolin-based Geopolymer Polystyrene Composite Paste at Early Ages

Mohd Azrul Abdul Rajak; Nur Mizan Izzati Masran; Sazmal Effendi Arshad; Eddy Mohd Farid Mohd Yusslee.

The integration of polystyrene foams as the lightweight agent in geopolymer is an alternative to produce a lightweight metakaolin-based geopolymer. Meanwhile, the microstructure studies assist to provide better understanding towards the formation of lightweight geopolymer. Hence, the present study examined the morphological characteristics of lightweight metakaolin-based geopolymer polystyrene composite at an early age. The lightweight metakaolin-based geopolymer paste is prepared at ratio 0.7 by using sodium hydroxide as an alkaline activator and the addition of polystyrene foams at ratio of 0.3. The morphology of the lightweight metakaolin-based geopolymer polystyrene paste was analyzed through SEM analysis at 14 days curing ages. The lightweight geopolymer at early ages consisted of the unresponsive metakaolin and porous gel as it gave less dense and compact microstructure. Meanwhile, the analysis showed that the polystyrene foams blended-well in the geopolymer matrix. However, the high temperature during the curing process damages the texture of some of the polystyrene foams. Yet, the utilization of the polystyrene foams as lightweight agents is believed to produce a lightweight metakaolin-based geopolymer.

KEYWORDS: Lightweight geopolymer, metakaolin-based geopolymer, polystyrene foams, geopolymerization, metakaolin.



Download this PDF file

REFERENCES

1. Abdel-Gawwad, H. A. & Abo-El-Enein, S. A. 2016. A novel method to produce dry geopolymer cement powder. HBRC Journal, 12 (1), 13–24.
2. Allahverdi, A. & Mahinroosta, M. 2019. Recycling aluminosilicate industrial wastes into geopolymer : A review. In: Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering. Elsevier Inc.
3. Belver, C., Muñoz, M. A. B. & Vicente, M.A. 2002. Chemical activation of a kaolinite under acid and alkaline conditions. Chemistry of Materials, 14(5), 2033–43.
4. Davidovits, J. 1994. Geopolymers: Man-made rock geosynthesis and the resulting development of very early high strength cement. Materials Eduucation, 16(2–3), 1–25.
5. Duan, P., Song, L, Yan, C., Ren, D. & Li, Z. 2017. Novel thermal insulating and lightweight composites from metakaolin geopolymer and polystyrene particles. Ceramics International, 43 (6), 5115–20.
6. Habert, G., Lacaillerie, J. B. D. D. & Roussel, N. 2011. An environmental evaluation of geopolymer based concrete production: Reviewing current research trends. Journal of Cleaner Production, 19(11), 1229–38.
7. Haibo, L. 2017. Experimental study on preparation of fly ash polystyrene new insulation building material. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 59(3), 295–300.
8. Hamad, J.M. & Hamad, A.J. 2014. Materials, properties and application review of lightweight concrete. Revista Tecnica de La Facultad de Ingenieria Universidad Del Zulia ,37(2), 10–15.
9. Kim, B. & Lee, S. 2020. Review on characteristics of metakaolin-based geopolymer and fast setting. Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society 57(4), 368–77.
10. Merabtene, M., Kacimi, L. & Clastres, P. 2019. Elaboration of geopolymer binders from poor kaolin and dam sludge waste. Heliyon, 5(6), e01938.
11. Mohajerani, A., Suter, D., Jeffrey, T., Tianyang, B., Arul, S., Horpibulsuk, S. & Law, D. 2019. Recycling waste materials in geopolymer concrete. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 21, 493–515.
12. Mucsi, G., Szabó, R., Nagy, S., Bohács, K., Gombköt, I. & Debreczeni, A. 2017. Development of polystyrene-geopolymer composite for thermal insulating material and its properties with special regards to flame resistance. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 251 (1).
13. Nayak, P. S. & Singh, B.K. 2007. Instrumental characterization of clay by XRF, XRD and FTIR. Bulletin of Material Science, 30(3), 235–38.
14. Riyap, H.I., Bewa, C.N., Banenzoué, C., Tchakouté, H.K., Rüscher, C.H., Kamseu, E., Bignozzi, M.C. & Leonelli, C. 2019. Microstructure and mechanical, physical and structural properties of sustainable lightweight metakaolin-based geopolymer cements and mortars employing rice husk. Journal of Asian Ceramic Societies, 7(2), 199–212.
15. Špaldon, A., Perná, I., Šupová, M. & Hanzlíc, T. 2019. The synthesis and characterization of geopolymers based on metakaolin and high LOI straw ash. Construction and Building Materials, 228, 1–9.
16. Xu, H. & Deventer, J.S.J.V. 2002. Geopolymerisation of multiple minerals. Minerals Engineering, 15(12), 1131 - 39.
17. Živica, V., Palou, M.T. & Križma, M. 2015. Geopolymer cements and their properties: A review. Building Research Journal, 61(2), 85 - 100.