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Microstructure and phase characterizations of fly ash cements by alkali activation

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Abstract

Microstructure and phase characterizations of fly ash cement by alkali activation were investigated. High calcium fly ash (FA) at 70%, 80%, 90% and 100% by mass of binders was used in combination with Portland cement (PC), thus producing alkali-activated fly ash cements with some part of Portland cement and geopolymer (at 100%FA). Alkali solutions (Na2SiO3 and NaOH) were used as activators at alkali liquid/binder of 0.65, and Na2SiO3/NaOH ratio used was 0.67. Samples were cured at 23 °C (55% RH) and 60 °C (95% RH). The results showed that curing temperature significantly affects the reacted products. By curing at higher temperature ≈ 60 °C, a denser structure due to high-temperature curing plays a crucial role in terms of producing more semi-crystalline (N–A–S–H) structure as characterized by X-ray diffraction. Moreover, higher-temperature curing gave higher compressive strength than curing at 23 °C in all mixes. Optimum compressive strength obtained at 23 °C and 60 °C curing samples was found in 80FA20PC and 100FA samples, respectively. Thermal analysis results showed that N–A–S–H/(N, C)–A–S–H was detected in all mixes. Scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray showed elements belong to N–A–S–H and (N, C)–A–S–H phases.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude for financial support from the Researchers and Research for Industry Grants: Master Sci. and Tech Grant (RRI Grant-MAG), and the Siam Research and Innovation Co., LTD. The authors also gratefully acknowledged Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) formerly known as the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) for the supports of the Research Scholar Award and the TRF Senior Research Scholar. This work was partially supported by Chiang Mai University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Cement-Based Materials Research Laboratory, Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Sak Sanchindapong, Chalermphan Narattha & Arnon Chaipanich

  2. Research and Innovation Center, SCG Cement Co., Ltd, Saraburi, 18260, Thailand

    Manow Piyaworapaiboon & Sakprayut Sinthupinyo

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Sustainable Infrastructure Research and Development Center (SIRDC), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Prinya Chindaprasirt

  4. Center of Excellent in Materials Science and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Arnon Chaipanich

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  1. Sak Sanchindapong
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Correspondence to Arnon Chaipanich.

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Sanchindapong, S., Narattha, C., Piyaworapaiboon, M. et al. Microstructure and phase characterizations of fly ash cements by alkali activation. J Therm Anal Calorim 142, 167–174 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-020-10021-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-020-10021-5

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