Comparative study of the various methods of preparation of silicate solution and its effect on the geopolymerization reaction

Abstract

This paper is based on the characterization of synthesized geopolymer binders based on either powder or solution silicate, and the amount of water contained in synthesized binders is determined to evaluate their possibility to coat a brick. The structural evolution of the formed geopolymers was investigated using FTIR spectroscopy. The mechanical properties were evaluated using compression tests. The structural evolution ensured that the solutions prepared from silicate powder or liquid had different degrees of polymerization, which modified the polycondensation reaction of the mixture. Nevertheless, the use of aluminosilicate solutions based on powder or liquid display similar behavior in a polycondensation reaction. The obtained materials show good mechanical properties, and it is possible to deposit this binder on the brick depending on the water content. Keywords: Silicate powder, Bricks, Alkaline solution, Binders, Depolymerization, Metakaolin reactivity