A Sustainable Approach for the Geopolymerization of Natural Iron-Rich Aluminosilicate Materials

Esther A. Obonyo, Elie Kamseu, Patrick N. Lemougna, Arlin B. Tchamba, Uphie C. Melo and Cristina Leonelli
Additional contact information
Esther A. Obonyo: Department of Construction Management, M.E. Rinker School of Building Construction, University of Florida, P.O.Box 115703, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
Elie Kamseu: Department of research, Local Materials Promotion Authority, MINRESI/MIPROMALO, P.O.Box 2396, Yaoundé 11852, Cameroon
Patrick N. Lemougna: Department of research, Local Materials Promotion Authority, MINRESI/MIPROMALO, P.O.Box 2396, Yaoundé 11852, Cameroon
Arlin B. Tchamba: Department of research, Local Materials Promotion Authority, MINRESI/MIPROMALO, P.O.Box 2396, Yaoundé 11852, Cameroon
Uphie C. Melo: Department of research, Local Materials Promotion Authority, MINRESI/MIPROMALO, P.O.Box 2396, Yaoundé 11852, Cameroon
Cristina Leonelli: Department of Engineering "Enzo Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Vignolese 905, Modena 41125, Italy

Sustainability, 2014, vol. 6, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: Two iron-rich clayey materials (L1 and L2, with the main difference being the level of iron accumulation) have been studied for their suitability as solid precursors for inorganic polymer composites. L1, with the lower iron content, was calcined at 700°C for 4 h and used as replacement, in the range of 15–35 wt%, for both raw laterites in the formulations of geopolymeric composites. The different mixtures were activated with a highly concentrated alkaline solution containing sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. River sand with semi-crystalline structure was added to form semi-dry pastes which were pressed to appropriate shape. X-ray diffraction, Infrared spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry results demonstrated the effectiveness of the calcined fraction of L1 to act as nucleation sites and extend the geopolymerization to the matrix composites. A highly compact matrix with low porosity and good stability in water, together with a strength comparable to that of standard concretes was obtained allowing for conclusions to be made on the quality of laterites as promising solid precursor for sustainable, environmentally-friendly, and cost-efficient structural materials.

Keywords: iron-rich aluminosilicates; geopolymerization; porosity; mechanical strength (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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