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Pore Analysis and the Behaviour of the Unreacted Metakaolin Particles in the Networks of Geopolymer Cements Using Metakaolins From Kaolinitic and Halloysitic Clays

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Abstract

This work aims to study the pore analysis and the behaviour of the unreacted metakaolin particles in the geopolymer cements from halloysitic and kaolinitic clays. The XRD patterns of the geopolymer cements show the unreacted metakaolin particles at about 21 °(2θ). The micrography images of the specimen from calcined kaolinitic clay confirm the presence of the unreacted metakaolin particles except the one using calcined kaolinitic clay from Bangoua. Whereas those from calcined halloysitic clay are compacts, homogeneous and denser microstructure. The compressive strength of the specimen from calcined halloysitic clay (88.50 ± 2.08 MPa) is higher compared to those from calcined kaolinitic clays (between 45.43 ± 1.84 and 57.20 ± 1.09 MPa). The pore analysis shows that the pore size diameters of the specimen from calcined halloysitic clay are in the range 7.4–16.2 nm while those from calcined kaolinitic clays are ranging from 5.5 to 12.3 nm. It was found that although the geopolymer cement from calcined halloysitic clay contains more unreacted metakaolin particles, it possesses the mesopores due to the inclusion of these fine unreacted metakaolin particles in its structure.

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Acknowledgements

Dr. Tchakouté Kouamo Hervé gratefully acknowledges the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung for its financial support this work under grant N°KAM/1155741 GFHERMES-P.

Funding

The characterization of samples was supported by Pr. Tchakouté Kouamo Hervé under the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung under the grant N° KAM/1155741 GFHERMES-P.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon

    S. J. K. Melele, Hervé Kouamo Tchakouté, E. L. Hseumou & C. P. Nanseu-Njiki

  2. Institut für Mineralogie, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Callinstrasse 3, D-30167, Hannover, Germany

    Hervé Kouamo Tchakouté & C. H. Rüscher

  3. Faculty of Science, The University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon

    C. Banenzoué

Authors
  1. S. J. K. Melele
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  2. Hervé Kouamo Tchakouté
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  3. C. Banenzoué
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  4. E. L. Hseumou
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  5. C. P. Nanseu-Njiki
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  6. C. H. Rüscher
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Contributions

S.J.K. Melele : Validation, Methodology, Writing - review & editing, Visualization, original draft. H.K. Tchakouté: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Writing - original draft. C. Banenzoué: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Writing - original draft. E.L. Hseumou: Validation, Writing - review & editing, Visualization. C.P.N. Nanseu: Supervision, Methodology, Resources, C.H. Rüscher: Resources and Supervision.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hervé Kouamo Tchakouté.

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Highlights

• Geopolymer cement from calcined halloysitic clay contains more unreacted metakaolin particles.

• It possesses the mesopores due to the inclusion of these fine unreacted metakaolin particles in its structure.

• The unreacted metakaolin particles in the geopolymers from kaolinitic clay do not include in the network.

• The pore size diameters of the geopolymers from calcined halloysitic clay are in the range 7.4-16.2 nm.

• The pore size diameters of the geopolymers from calcined kaolinitic clays are ranging from 5.5 to 12.3 nm.

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Melele, S.J.K., Tchakouté, H.K., Banenzoué, C. et al. Pore Analysis and the Behaviour of the Unreacted Metakaolin Particles in the Networks of Geopolymer Cements Using Metakaolins From Kaolinitic and Halloysitic Clays. Silicon 14, 2235–2247 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-021-01021-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-021-01021-7

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