Synthesis and Characterisation of Slag Based Geopolymers

In the present work the geopolymerisation of blast furnace slag (GGBS) under varying conditions is being investigated. The experimental comprises the following parts: i) dissolution of slag in alkaline media and the investigation of the effect of the alkali ion (K or Na) on the dissolution of Al+3 and Si4+, ii) synthesis of slag based geopolymers and the investigation of the effect of the Si/Al ratio and the kind of alkaline ion on the development of the compressive strength and iii) characterization of geopolymers by means of XRD, FTIR and SEM/EDS measurements. As it is concluded, blast furnace slag geopolymers exhibit high compressive strength, with the maximum being 112.7±2 MPa. The Si/Al ratio of the starting material is found to affect strongly the development of the geopolymer compressive strength. The microstructure of slag–based geopolymers and the incorporation of Ca in the geopolymer matrix are also discussed.