Synthesis and characterization of novel iron-modified geopolymer cement from laterite clay as low energy material

Abstract

A new type of geopolymer with an iron–oxygen–silicon linkage is synthesized and reported for the first time. The aim was to enable the iron-rich clay material (laterite) as a raw material for the geopolymerization. Iron was used in different ratios ranging 1–3 wt. % in the raw mix designing geopolymer followed by activation with concentrated alkali solutions of NaOH and KOH in different concentrations. The bonding of Fe–O–Si was confirmed from the FTIR peaks in NaOH- and KOH-based geopolymers. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the formation of zeolitic, sodalite, and almandite phases. The final product has shown a compressive strength of 2371.8 and 1503 kN/m2 and can be used as a construction material.