Decreasing of Leaching and Improvement of Geopolymer Properties by Addition of Aluminum Calcium Cements and Titanium Oxide

Abstract

The article presents the latest results of the leaching of alkali from geopolymers depending on the introduced additions in the form of aluminum calcium cement and nanometric titanium oxide. Aluminum calcium cements were introduced in two variants: G40 (>40% Al2O3) and G70 (>70% Al2O3) in amounts of 0%, 2%, and 4% by weight. Titanium oxide was also incorporated in amounts of 2% and 4% by weight. The results of conductivity tests of solutions in which geopolymers were immersed were carried out. On this basis, it was found that geopolymers cured in the aquatic environment have a lower risk of efflorescence in the later periods of their use due to leaching of compounds at the stage of aquatic curing. In addition, it was found that the addition of calcium aluminum cements decreases the leaching of substances from geopolymers. It was also found that geopolymers based on an 8 M NaOH solution have greater leaching than when using a 10 M solution. The results of the compressive strength tests for the tested samples were also presented.