Alkali leaching control of construction and demolition waste based geopolymers

Abstract

This study regards the synthesis of waste brick geopolymers and the evaluation of their alkali leaching potential. Geopolymers with varied alkali to Al molar ratios were prepared and their alkali leaching potential was measured. In order to improve the efflorescence of the waste brick geopolymers, KOH was used instead of NaOH in the activation solution, Ca cations were incorporated through the partial substitution of the brick powder by ground granulated blast furnace slag or extra Al was introduced in the activation solution. The results showed that the leachability of the products is close related to the alkali content of the activation solution while the use of K ions in the starting mixtures reduced the leachability potential. The same effect was observed in the case of the extra Al ions incorporation. The partial substitution of the wastes bricks by slag showeda slight increase of leachability even though denser materials with enhanced strengths were prepared.