Structural formation and leaching behavior of mechanically activated lignite fly ash based geopolymer

AbstractGeopolymers are inorganic polymers which can be produced by the reaction of aluminium silicate oxides and alkaline silicates in an alkaline medium. Nowadays, silicate bearing wastes, such as fly ash or slag and other by-products of power stations are very common raw materials for geopolymers.In our research a lignite type fly ash was mechanically activated in a high energy density mill (HEM) for different retention time, and geopolymer specimens were produced from these materials. After determining the optimal fly ash fineness, the concentration and composition of the alkaline activator solution were also investigated. The highest compressive strength was reached using fly ash with 2 m2/g specific surface area, activated with a mixture of Na-K silicate (water glass) and NaOH solution. The total dosage of alkaline activators to the fly ash was 40 m/m%, the NaOH activator of 12 M solution represented 25 m/m%, while Na-K silicate 75 m/m%. Then, the leaching properties of the main components and the m...