Use of rice husk ash to produce alternative sodium silicate for geopolymerization reactions

This study investigated the feasibility of synthesizing sodium silicate from rice husk ash (RHA) and its application to produce geopolymers. Samples were prepared at different SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratios (3.0, 3.5, 4.0) for both silicates (commercial RHA). They underwater cured 60 ºC 1 h then room temperature (25 in air) until time tests (7 28 days). The results showed that compressive strength significantly increased along with ratio silicates. Geopolymers produced RHA higher strengths most studied samples. highest (6.33±0.23 MPa) was obtained samples 4.0 7 days, representing a 40% increase average values compared commercial under same conditions. XRD data FTIR spectrum confirmed it possible synthesize geopolymer using RHA.