Mosses on Geopolymers: Preliminary Durability Study and Chemical Characterization of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymers Filled with Wood Ash

Abstract

Burning wood is estimated to produce about 6–10% of ash. Despite the possibility of recycling wood ash (WA), approximately 70% of the wood ash generated is landfilled, causing costs as well as environmental pollution. This study aims to recycle WA in an alternative way by inserting it as filler in geopolymeric materials. Here, metakaolin, NaOH, sodium silicate, and WA are used to realize geopolymers. Geopolymers without and with 10, 20 and 30% of WA are synthesized and characterized after 7, 14, 28 and 56 days. The article’s study methods are related to geopolymers’ chemical, biological and mechanical properties. The geopolymers synthesized are compact and solid. The pH and conductivity tests and the integrity and weight loss tests have demonstrated the stability of materials. The FT-IR study and boiling water test have confirmed the successful geopolymerization in all samples. The antibacterial analysis, the moss growing test and the compressive strength test have given a first idea about the durability of the materials synthesized. Furthermore, the compressive strength test result has allowed the comparison from the literature of the specimens obtained with the Portland cement (PC). The results obtained bode well for the future of this material.

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“…Gómez-Casero et al 11 conducted a study on metakaolin-based geopolymers and found that the metakaolin-based geopolymers exhibit excellent compressive strength and thermal insulation performance, with lower thermal conductivity compared to PC. Catauro et al 12 investigated the structural stability of metakaolin-based geopolymers with and without the addition of fly ash and observed that the composite materials exhibited excellent durability and comparable compressive strength to PC. Siyal et al 13 compiled the research on the adsorption of heavy metals and dyes by geopolymers and found that geopolymers possess favorable surface properties and microstructure that enable highly efficient adsorption of heavy metal ions and dyes, exhibiting spontaneous adsorption behavior.…”