Characterization of the high-calcium fly ash geopolymer mortar with hot-weather curing systems for sustainable application

Fly ash geopolymers are an alumino-silicate material and thus enable the utilization of waste containing alumino-silicate effectively. Geopolymeric reaction occurs as a result of the activation of fly ash with alkali solutions. In Thailand, a large amount of high-calcium fly ash is available due to the use of lowgrade lignite coal feedstock for pulverized coal combustion process and the calcium content becomes very high. In this study, heat curing at 35 degrees C as a representative of a high ambient temperature (hot weather) and low cost was investigated. Curing at temperature of 65 degrees C and room temperature of 25 degrees C were also conducted to compare the results. Geopolymeric products were tested for compressive strength and characterized by XRD, IR, SEM and TGA techniques. The results showed that heat curing enhanced the geopolymerization resulting in the formation of Si-O-Al network product. Heat curings at 35 degrees C and 65 degrees C led to the formation of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and alumino-silicate (geopolymer bonding). Without heat curing, the product was predominantly C-S-H compound and the matrix was as strong as the heat-cured product. The immersion of samples in 3% sulfuric acid solution revealed that the performance of the heat-cured samples were better than those cured at room temperature. In addition, application of research results was to produce the geopolymer brick with outdoor heat exposure of 35 degrees C. Pedestrian pathway was demonstrated. (C) 2017 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.