Reaction of calcium carbonate minerals in sodium silicate solution and its role in alkali-activated systems

Abstract This article investigates the role of calcium carbonate minerals in an alkali-activated system through their reaction with sodium silicate solution. The early reaction kinetics and reaction products are investigated using isothermal conduction calorimetry, in-situ XRD and in-situ FTIR. Later reaction products are identified with thermodynamic modelling and analysis of the paste samples after 8 and 90 d using XRD, TGA, DSC and mass spectrometry. After a few hours of reaction, natron precipitates as the first crystalline carbonate phase, while changes in the connectivity of silicates are observed due to the precipitation of C-S-H, which may contain Na. After 8 and 90 d, C-S-H is observed together with thermonatrite instead of natron. It is shown that calcium carbonate is not just a filler in an alkali-activated system but can provide Ca to form C-S-H and can also enhance the availability of carbonate for the formation of alkali carbonates.