Structure-property relationships and state behavior of alkali-activated aluminosilicate gels

Structure-property relationships of alkali-activated aluminosilicate gels are studied using rheology, neutron scattering, solid-state NMR, and TEM to develop a pseudo-ternary state diagram. Empirical gel states classified by the rheological behavior (sol-gel transition scaling storage modulus with aluminum concentration). The boundaries compared materials from literature including denser binders. This work focuses on two compositions dilute gels, formulated specifically quantify effects pH concentration microstructure rheology. Gels at constant 12.5 show change in morphology silicon coordination, but consistent mass fractal dimension as is increased. microstructural contrasts characterization previously variable (range 3–11) which dependent concentration. These results inform complicated interactions polycondensation reaction binders lead diagram unifies many structure-property observations reported for these materials.