Evidence of formation of an amorphous magnesium silicate (AMS) phase during alkali activation of (Na-Mg) aluminosilicate glasses

There is some ambiguity regarding the fate of Mg during alkali activation Mg-rich precursors within broader field activated materials (AAMs). The present work addresses this issue by studying reaction products in AAMs synthesized from (Na-Mg) aluminosilicate glasses. Here, instead magnesium silicate hydrate (M-S-H) phase, exclusively forms an amorphous (AMS) phase. Compared to M-S-H, AMS a more depolymerized which has not previously been well documented. formation seems be driven high charge density cation effectively stabilizes species. We also show that lack hydrotalcite-group phases due aluminum depletion zeolite formation. This highlights need consider existence phase Mg-containing AAMs, especially complex systems, where its identification may difficult.