Development of eco-friendly alkali-activated nanocomposites comprising micro-fibers at ambient curing conditions
Geopolymers (GOPL) can play a vital role in the sustainability of concrete construction. The addition of nanoparticles and micro-fibers to GOPL can improve the mechanical and microstructural performance by densifying the matrix and providing the bridging effect against the internal cracking mechanis...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Case Studies in Construction Materials |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509522006726 |
| _version_ | 1828340091410448384 |
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| author | Ali Raza Yasser Alashker Marc Azab Qaiser uz Zaman Khan Mirvat Abdallah Osama Barakat Khaled Mohamed Elhadi |
| author_facet | Ali Raza Yasser Alashker Marc Azab Qaiser uz Zaman Khan Mirvat Abdallah Osama Barakat Khaled Mohamed Elhadi |
| author_sort | Ali Raza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Geopolymers (GOPL) can play a vital role in the sustainability of concrete construction. The addition of nanoparticles and micro-fibers to GOPL can improve the mechanical and microstructural performance by densifying the matrix and providing the bridging effect against the internal cracking mechanism. Therefore, an extensive investigation on the improvement of the various characteristics of the GOPL is required to make it feasible for practical applications. Moreover, the combined effect of nanoparticles and micro-fibers on various features of GOPL needs further insights. This study investigates the microstructural, mechanical, fracture, and toughness performance of micro-basalt fiber (MBF)-reinforced coal ash-made GOPL using different proportions of nano-sodium oxide at ambient curing conditions. The percentage of nano-sodium oxide examined in the present study varied from 0% to 4% by weight. The MBF amount is kept the same for all fabricated samples at 0.5% by weight. Scanning electron microscopy is used for assessing the microstructural cracking and failure behavior of GOPL pastes. The findings of the present study divulged that the usage of 3% nano-sodium oxide in MBF-reinforced GOPL mix presented the highest increase of 29%, 55%, 24%, and 60% for the compression strength, flexure strength, fracture toughness, and impact strength, respectively. Further increase in the content of nano-sodium oxide prompted the agglomeration of nanoparticles leading to a reduction in the performance of the GOPL. The outcomes of scanned electron microscopy delineated that the addition of nano-sodium oxide refined the interfacial regions and promoted the polymerization process of the GOPL which enriched the microstructure and fabricated a highly densified GOPL paste. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T22:51:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5d1c458c6586459c91c70d351cc9d936 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2214-5095 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T22:51:07Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Studies in Construction Materials |
| spelling | doaj.art-5d1c458c6586459c91c70d351cc9d9362022-12-22T02:26:10ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952022-12-0117e01540Development of eco-friendly alkali-activated nanocomposites comprising micro-fibers at ambient curing conditionsAli Raza0Yasser Alashker1Marc Azab2Qaiser uz Zaman Khan3Mirvat Abdallah4Osama Barakat5Khaled Mohamed Elhadi6Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila 47050, Pakistan; Corresponding author.Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, PO Box 394, Abha 61411, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Structural Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, EgyptCollege of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, KuwaitDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila 47050, PakistanCollege of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, KuwaitCollege of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, KuwaitDepartment of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, PO Box 394, Abha 61411, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Structural Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, EgyptGeopolymers (GOPL) can play a vital role in the sustainability of concrete construction. The addition of nanoparticles and micro-fibers to GOPL can improve the mechanical and microstructural performance by densifying the matrix and providing the bridging effect against the internal cracking mechanism. Therefore, an extensive investigation on the improvement of the various characteristics of the GOPL is required to make it feasible for practical applications. Moreover, the combined effect of nanoparticles and micro-fibers on various features of GOPL needs further insights. This study investigates the microstructural, mechanical, fracture, and toughness performance of micro-basalt fiber (MBF)-reinforced coal ash-made GOPL using different proportions of nano-sodium oxide at ambient curing conditions. The percentage of nano-sodium oxide examined in the present study varied from 0% to 4% by weight. The MBF amount is kept the same for all fabricated samples at 0.5% by weight. Scanning electron microscopy is used for assessing the microstructural cracking and failure behavior of GOPL pastes. The findings of the present study divulged that the usage of 3% nano-sodium oxide in MBF-reinforced GOPL mix presented the highest increase of 29%, 55%, 24%, and 60% for the compression strength, flexure strength, fracture toughness, and impact strength, respectively. Further increase in the content of nano-sodium oxide prompted the agglomeration of nanoparticles leading to a reduction in the performance of the GOPL. The outcomes of scanned electron microscopy delineated that the addition of nano-sodium oxide refined the interfacial regions and promoted the polymerization process of the GOPL which enriched the microstructure and fabricated a highly densified GOPL paste.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509522006726Basalt fiberCoal ashGeopolymerHardnessNano-sodium oxideScanning electron microscope |
| spellingShingle | Ali Raza Yasser Alashker Marc Azab Qaiser uz Zaman Khan Mirvat Abdallah Osama Barakat Khaled Mohamed Elhadi Development of eco-friendly alkali-activated nanocomposites comprising micro-fibers at ambient curing conditions Case Studies in Construction Materials Basalt fiber Coal ash Geopolymer Hardness Nano-sodium oxide Scanning electron microscope |
| title | Development of eco-friendly alkali-activated nanocomposites comprising micro-fibers at ambient curing conditions |
| title_full | Development of eco-friendly alkali-activated nanocomposites comprising micro-fibers at ambient curing conditions |
| title_fullStr | Development of eco-friendly alkali-activated nanocomposites comprising micro-fibers at ambient curing conditions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of eco-friendly alkali-activated nanocomposites comprising micro-fibers at ambient curing conditions |
| title_short | Development of eco-friendly alkali-activated nanocomposites comprising micro-fibers at ambient curing conditions |
| title_sort | development of eco friendly alkali activated nanocomposites comprising micro fibers at ambient curing conditions |
| topic | Basalt fiber Coal ash Geopolymer Hardness Nano-sodium oxide Scanning electron microscope |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509522006726 |
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