Strength and microstructural analysis of geopolymer prepared with coal-based synthetic natural gas slag

Abstract

PurposeThe coal-based synthetic natural gas slag (CSNGS) is a solid waste remaining from the incomplete combustion of raw coal to produce gas. With the continuous promotion of efficient and clean utilization of coal in recent years, the stockpiling of CSNGS would increase gradually, and it would have significant social and environmental benefits with reasonable utilization of CSNGS. This study prepared a new geopolymer by mixing CSNGS with PC42.5 cement in a certain mass ratio as the precursor, with sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solution as the alkali activators.Design/methodology/approachThe formulation of coal-based synthetic natural gas slag geopolymer (CSNGSG) was determined by an orthogonal test, and then the strength mechanism and microstructure of CSNGSG were characterized by multi-scale tests.FindingsThe results show that the optimum ratio of CSNGSG was a sodium silicate modulus of 1.3, an alkali dosage of 21% and a water cement ratio of 0.36 and the maximum unconfined compressive strength of CSNGSG at 7 d was 26.88 MPa. The increase of curing temperature could significantly improve the compressive strength of CSNGSG, and the curing humidity had little effect on the compressive strength of CSNGSG. The development of the internal strength of CSNSG at high temperatures consumed SiO2, Al2O3 and CaO and the intensity of corresponding crystalline peaks decreased.Originality/valueMoreover, the vibration of chemical bonds in different wavenumbers also revealed the reaction mechanism of CSNSG from another perspective. Finally, the relevant test results indicated that CSNGS had practical application value as a raw material for the preparation of geopolymer cementing materials.