Effect of Iron Oxide (Fe2O3) on the Properties of Fly Ash Based Geopolymer

Abstract

Abstract Geopolymer is an attractive construction binder owing to its ability to improve the properties of the concrete and preserves the environment from the high CO2 emission. Geopolymer technology will convert the potential hazardous industrial waste such as fly ash into valuable construction materials. However, there is a need of studying the properties of iron-based geopolymer in order to enhance the fundamental and knowledge of the geopolymer research also development in this study area. Fly ash which contains a significant amount of iron oxide (Fe2O3) was used as a precursor and tested at different curing duration (1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days). Crystallization of iron oxide (Fe2O3) contained in the fly ash under geopolymerization process will be able to turn waste fly ash into a strong concrete materials, simultaneously creating a waste-to-wealth economy. Furthermore, the formation of fayalite detected from the microstructure characterization is mainly contribute to the strength development of the fly ash after 28 days curing.