Preparation and characterization of porous and stable sodium- and potassium-based alkali activated material (AAM)

The aim of this work is to produce highly porous and stable alkali-activated material (AAM) prepared from two combinations sodium (Na)- potassium (K)-based alkali solutions (NaOH/Na 2 SiO 3 KOH/K ). reactive metakaolin as precursor AAM were characterized using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), fluorescence (XRF), aluminum nuclear magnetic resonance ( 27 Al MS-NMR), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFTS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), compressive strength measurement Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface analysis. porosity the AAMs increased by hydrogen peroxide percarbonate foaming agents. Characterization results showed viscosity K-AAM paste was 70% lower than that Na-AAM paste. However, volume in an air-tight plastic tube three times higher K-AAM, but specific area (SSA) 30% those Na-AAM. In terms strength, blank (foaming agent-free) demonstrated highest values: 6.1 MPa for 9.0 When concentration agent increased, both materials decreased still around 1.0 MPa. FESEM images produced with H O indicated high which also observed SSA values AAM. Furthermore, XRD data contained water hydrate form (halloysite) compared suggesting different polymerization reaction route speed between these • Metakaolin multiple methods. Viscosity potassium-based sodium-based. Volume sodium-based potassium-based. Potassium-based Curing at 60 °C gave four 105 °C.