Mechanochemical Optimization and Structural Characterization of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Cements Containing Rice Husk Ash

International Journal of Chemistry | Vol. 3, No. 8, August 2012 | pp. 82–89

DOI: 10.46882/2012/IJC/000047

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Mechanochemical Optimization and Structural Characterization of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Cements Containing Rice Husk Ash

Names of Authors: T. S. Ani¹, Y. M. Sani²*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Electronic and Chemical Engineering, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
²Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Abstract: Incorporating industrial and agricultural amorphous silica wastes into geopolymer binders reduces production costs while enhancing mechanical strengths. This study examines the structural synthesis and properties of binary geopolymer cements produced via the alkaline activation of blends of metakaolin (MK) and rice husk ash (RHA) at ratios of 100:0 to 60:40. The geopolymerization process was initiated using an activating solution of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide with an overall liquid-to-binder ratio of 0.45. Structural changes were monitored using XRD, FT-IR, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). FT-IR results confirmed the successful framework incorporation of silicates derived from RHA, as shown by a shift in the asymmetric stretching band of Si-O-T bonds to 980 cm⁻¹. Compressive strength measurements demonstrated that samples prepared with 20% RHA achieved a maximum strength of 46.8 MPa after 28 days of ambient curing, which was 15% higher than pure metakaolin binders. SEM imaging revealed a denser, less porous aluminosilicate gel network, confirming that RHA acts as an efficient supplementary silica source for green building materials.

Keywords: Geopolymer; Metakaolin; Rice husk ash; Alkaline activation; Compressive strength; Microstructure

Manuscript Timeline: Received: September 05, 2011; Revised: October 18, 2011; Accepted: November 04, 2011; Published: August 02, 2012.

Citation: Ani, T. S., & Sani, Y. M. (2012). Mechanochemical Optimization and Structural Characterization of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Cements Containing Rice Husk Ash. International Journal of Chemistry, 3(8), 82–89.

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