title: Alkali-activated complex binders from class C fly ash and Ca-containing admixtures.
abstract: Processes that maximize utilization of industrial solid wastes are greatly needed. Sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solution were used to create alkali-activated complex binders (AACBs) from class C fly ash (CFA) and other Ca-containing admixtures including Portland cement (PC), flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG), and water treatment residual (WTR). Specimens made only from CFA (CFA100), or the same fly ash mixed with 40 wt% PC (CFA60-PC40), with 10 wt% FGDG (CFA90-FGDG10), or with 10 wt% WTR (CFA90-WTR10) had better mechanical performance compared to binders using other mix ratios. The maximum compressive strength of specimens reached 80.0 MPa. Geopolymeric gel, sodium polysilicate zeolite, and hydrated products coexist when AACB reactions occur. Ca from CFA, PC, and WTR precipitated as Ca(OH)(2), bonded in geopolymers to obtain charge balance, or reacted with dissolved silicate and aluminate species to form calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel. However, Ca from FGDG probably reacted with dissolved silicate and aluminate species to form ettringite. Utilization of CFA and Ca-containing admixtures in AACB is feasible. These binders may be widely utilized in various applications such as in building materials and for solidification/stabilization of other wastes, thus making the wastes more environmentally benign.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials, Tongji University, Ministry of Education, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China.
authors.forename: Xiaolu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Huisheng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Liming
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Warren A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Dick
mesh_terms: D000468:Alkalies / Q000737:chemistry*; D000535:Aluminum / Q000032:analysis; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry*; D002133:Calcium Sulfate; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D060729:Coal Ash; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003252:Construction Materials; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000737:chemistry*; D017640:Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D012996:Solutions; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D000468:Alkalies; D060729:Coal Ash; D052638:Particulate Matter; D017640:Silicates; D012996:Solutions; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D002244:Carbon; D000535:Aluminum; C005691:sodium silicate; D002118:Calcium; D002133:Calcium Sulfate