Effect of potassium‐waterglass composition on strength development and leaching behavior of geopolymers in different curing conditions

Abstract This study delves into the impact of different potassium‐waterglass (K‐WG) compositions on the early reaction dynamics and strength evolution in metakaolin‐based geopolymers (GP). By maintaining a constant SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 4, the study explores the influence of varying H2O/K2O and K2O/Al...

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Main Authors: Umberto C. C. S. Siciliano, Ana C. C. Trindade, Flávio de Andrade Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:International Journal of Ceramic Engineering & Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ces2.10251
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author Umberto C. C. S. Siciliano
Ana C. C. Trindade
Flávio de Andrade Silva
author_facet Umberto C. C. S. Siciliano
Ana C. C. Trindade
Flávio de Andrade Silva
author_sort Umberto C. C. S. Siciliano
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study delves into the impact of different potassium‐waterglass (K‐WG) compositions on the early reaction dynamics and strength evolution in metakaolin‐based geopolymers (GP). By maintaining a constant SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 4, the study explores the influence of varying H2O/K2O and K2O/Al2O3 ratios on GP properties under both dry and saturated curing conditions. Early reaction kinetics are examined using isothermal calorimetry at room temperature (21°C), and pH measurements provide insights into alkali leaching. A strong correlation was found between total heat release and strength gain, as evidenced by ultrasonic cement analyzer (UCA) readings. The study further identifies that increased H2O/K2O ratios prolong setting times and delay the geopolymerization peaks, while a higher K2O/Al2O3 ratio enhances the geopolymerization process. Vicat tests confirmed the results obtained by calorimetry and UCA: only the GP4 formulation (H2O/K2O = 8.7 and K2O/Al2O3 = 1.3) hardened in less than 7 days. Additionally, it was found that saturated curing conditions decelerate strength development, with an initial notable decline in compressive strength at 24 h compared with dry curing. However, this difference diminishes to a negligible 7.6% after 3 days. Optimal ratios of H2O/K2O = 8.7 and K2O/Al2O3 = 1.3 were determined to be critical for achieving reliable strength measurements at 1 day of curing. pH assessments indicated strong water resistance in all GP formulations, with leaching primarily governed by diffusion mechanisms. Specifically, the K‐WG composition with SiO2/K2O = 1.53 and H2O/K2O = 8.69 showcased minimal leachability. These fundamental findings are crucial for the later design of GP materials that require rapid strength development, especially crucial for applications necessitating cementing under extreme conditions, such as deep‐sea drilling, geothermal energy production, and high‐temperature industrial processes.
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spelling doaj-art-43beeef827244313bfa99f73c42b31212025-01-21T08:44:30ZengWileyInternational Journal of Ceramic Engineering & Science2578-32702025-01-0171n/an/a10.1002/ces2.10251Effect of potassium‐waterglass composition on strength development and leaching behavior of geopolymers in different curing conditionsUmberto C. C. S. Siciliano0Ana C. C. Trindade1Flávio de Andrade Silva2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Pontificia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC‐Rio) Rio de Janeiro RJ BrazilDepartment of Biosystems Engineering Pirassununga SP BrazilDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering Pontificia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC‐Rio) Rio de Janeiro RJ BrazilAbstract This study delves into the impact of different potassium‐waterglass (K‐WG) compositions on the early reaction dynamics and strength evolution in metakaolin‐based geopolymers (GP). By maintaining a constant SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 4, the study explores the influence of varying H2O/K2O and K2O/Al2O3 ratios on GP properties under both dry and saturated curing conditions. Early reaction kinetics are examined using isothermal calorimetry at room temperature (21°C), and pH measurements provide insights into alkali leaching. A strong correlation was found between total heat release and strength gain, as evidenced by ultrasonic cement analyzer (UCA) readings. The study further identifies that increased H2O/K2O ratios prolong setting times and delay the geopolymerization peaks, while a higher K2O/Al2O3 ratio enhances the geopolymerization process. Vicat tests confirmed the results obtained by calorimetry and UCA: only the GP4 formulation (H2O/K2O = 8.7 and K2O/Al2O3 = 1.3) hardened in less than 7 days. Additionally, it was found that saturated curing conditions decelerate strength development, with an initial notable decline in compressive strength at 24 h compared with dry curing. However, this difference diminishes to a negligible 7.6% after 3 days. Optimal ratios of H2O/K2O = 8.7 and K2O/Al2O3 = 1.3 were determined to be critical for achieving reliable strength measurements at 1 day of curing. pH assessments indicated strong water resistance in all GP formulations, with leaching primarily governed by diffusion mechanisms. Specifically, the K‐WG composition with SiO2/K2O = 1.53 and H2O/K2O = 8.69 showcased minimal leachability. These fundamental findings are crucial for the later design of GP materials that require rapid strength development, especially crucial for applications necessitating cementing under extreme conditions, such as deep‐sea drilling, geothermal energy production, and high‐temperature industrial processes.https://doi.org/10.1002/ces2.10251calorimetrygeopolymersleachingmetakaolinwaterglass
spellingShingle Umberto C. C. S. Siciliano
Ana C. C. Trindade
Flávio de Andrade Silva
Effect of potassium‐waterglass composition on strength development and leaching behavior of geopolymers in different curing conditions
International Journal of Ceramic Engineering & Science
calorimetry
geopolymers
leaching
metakaolin
waterglass
title Effect of potassium‐waterglass composition on strength development and leaching behavior of geopolymers in different curing conditions
title_full Effect of potassium‐waterglass composition on strength development and leaching behavior of geopolymers in different curing conditions
title_fullStr Effect of potassium‐waterglass composition on strength development and leaching behavior of geopolymers in different curing conditions
title_full_unstemmed Effect of potassium‐waterglass composition on strength development and leaching behavior of geopolymers in different curing conditions
title_short Effect of potassium‐waterglass composition on strength development and leaching behavior of geopolymers in different curing conditions
title_sort effect of potassium waterglass composition on strength development and leaching behavior of geopolymers in different curing conditions
topic calorimetry
geopolymers
leaching
metakaolin
waterglass
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ces2.10251
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AT anacctrindade effectofpotassiumwaterglasscompositiononstrengthdevelopmentandleachingbehaviorofgeopolymersindifferentcuringconditions
AT flaviodeandradesilva effectofpotassiumwaterglasscompositiononstrengthdevelopmentandleachingbehaviorofgeopolymersindifferentcuringconditions