Acid activated smectite clay as pozzolanic supplementary cementitious material

This research has investigated the structural changes and pozzolanic activity produced in acid activated smectite clay. The activation treatment used HCl at different concentrations, using times a range of temperatures. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive were to determine dissolution mechanism characterise clay mineral structure. Acid causes dehydroxylation clay, followed by leaching octahedral cations. results formation silica-rich amorphous phase that exhibits substantial compared same sample had undergone calcining 850. optimum was for 8 h 5 M 90 °C. 93 % amorphous. Mortar prisms prepared 25 replacement Portland cement compressive strength plain mortar.