Rice Husk Ash based Sodium Silicate as the Alkali Activator in slag based Geopolymer Concrete

Abstract

Geopolymer binders have become a cutting-edge, environmentally friendly substance with the potential to replace Portland cement in a variety of applications and potentially cut the carbon footprint of concrete production by up to 80%. Precursors and alkali activator solution are the essential part of geopolymer. Precursor material can be industrial wastes and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag is used in this investigation. However, the requirement of synthetic alkali activator solutions has to be addressed to fully realize the sustainability benefits of geopolymer concrete. In this aspect, an effort has been taken to synthesis sodium silicate solution from the processed rice husk ash using hydrothermal process and utilize the same for the production of geopolymer concrete. The different parameters that influence the properties of synthesized sodium silicate solution such as ratio of sodium hydroxide to rice husk ash, temperature maintained in the hydrothermal process and duration of hydrothermal process was varied and investigated in this study. The ratio of sodium hydroxide to rice husk ash was varied in different proportions such as 1:0.5, 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2. Temperature was varied as 80, 100, 120 degree Celsius and reaction time was varied as 60, 90, 120, 150 minutes. The geopolymer concrete was tested for setting time, compressive strength, split tensile strength and water absorption capacity. The strategy is thought to have a good chance of significantly lowering the global warming potential of geopolymers. Findings of this study unleash hefty potential in the arena of geopolymer concrete towards sustainable development.