Role of surfactants on the synthesis of impure kaolin-based alkali-activated, low-temperature porous ceramics

Porous ceramics were generated by direct foaming the alkali-activated unprocessed kaolin (impure kaolin, iK) with addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and calcining at a low temperature 400 ​°C. Hydrogen peroxide, blowing agent, decomposes producing oxygen gas bubbles forming porous structure in fresh iK paste. In present study, three different molarity alkali activator (5, 10, or 15 ​M NaOH) employed. The dosage agent was varied between 0 2% constant 0.5% (wt. binder) surfactant. fresh-state geopolymer slurry are unstable tendency to coalesce. such cases, surfactants introduced improve stability gas-liquid interface. Two surfactants: non-ionic cationic ones used study properties material. Fresh as viscosity, yield stress, rate, density compared reference samples without those surfactants. mechanical microstructural (AA) low-temperature determined after calcination. Pore structures characterized electron microscope understand interaction parameters during fresh/hardened state their relevance changes properties. Surfactants, irrespective type, highly influenced AA-iK samples, which turn reflected on compressive strength ceramics.