The Mechanical Performance and Reaction Mechanism of Slag-Based Organic–Inorganic Composite Geopolymers

Abstract

A series of organic–inorganic composite geopolymer paste samples were prepared with slag-based geopolymer and three types of hydrophilic organic polymers, i.e., PVA, PAA, and CPAM, by ordinary molding and pressure-mixing processes. The reaction mechanism between slag-based geopolymer and organic polymers was studied by FT-IR, NMR, and SEM techniques. The experimental results showed that the slag-based geopolymer with the addition of 3% PVA presented the highest 28-day flexural strength of 19.0 MPa by means of a pressure-mixing process and drying curing conditions (80 °C, 24 h) compared with the geopolymers incorporating PAA and CPAM. A more homogeneous dispersion morphology was also observed by BSE and SEM for the 3% PVA-incorporated slag-based geopolymer. The FT-IR testing results confirmed the formation of a C–O–Si (Al) bond between PVA and the slag-based geopolymer. The deconvolution of the Q3 and Q2(1Al) species obtained by 29Si NMR testing manifested the addition of PVA and increased the length of the silicon backbone chain in the geopolymer. These findings confirmed that a composite geopolymer with high toughness can be produced based on the interpenetrating network structure formed between organic polymers and inorganic geopolymer.