In this work the influence of alkaline activator on immobilization of lead and copper in alkali-activated blast furnace slag was investigated. A total of five activators were used; sodium water glass, potassium water glass, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and sodium carbonate. The leaching test according to ČSN EN 12457-4 was used to evaluate the level of immobilization of heavy metals, the leached solutions were analyzed by ICP-OES. For a better understanding of immobilization, the selected samples were characterized by analytical methods (FTIR, XRD, SEM, XPS). It was found that the degree of immobilization Pb2+ and Cu2+ in AAS was very high, regardless of the type of alkaline activator used.

The aim of this work was to develop an alkali activated matrix based mainly on fly ash, to determine the ability to fix lead in these matrices, the impact of added lead on mechanical properties and to reveal the way of lead fixation in these matrices. The matrices consisted mainly of fly ash (four from fluidized bed combustion, one pulverized coal combustion) with an admixture of blast furnace slag and sodium silicate as an activator. Lechates were prepared on the basis of the ČSN EN - 12457-4 standard, lead concentrations in them were measured using an atomic emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma. The strengths of the samples were measured after 28 days. Images, element maps and element spectra were taken to determine the structure using a scanning electron microscope with an electron dispersion spectrometer, the samples were analyzed on an infrared spectrometer with a Furier transform, X-ray diffraction analysis and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis were also used. The individual measurements showed that lead is accumulated in the form of hydroxide. The impact of lead doping on strength of the matrix was different for individual samples. Matrices from both types of fly ash released minimal amounts of lead into leachates, so it is possible to use them to fixate lead.

Alkali activated binders have the potential to become an alternative construction material to ordinary portland cement binders. This thesis concentrates on durability testing of alkali activated blast furnace slag and fly ash based concrete. The chosen aspects of durability included sulfate resistance, acid resistance, carbonation, freeze-thaw resistance, frost-salt resistance and porosity. Microstructural changes and formation of new crystalline phases were observed using XRD and SEM-EDX analysis. Potential application of the tested material from the durability point of view was evaluated by comparison with a reference ordinary portland cement based concrete.

This master thesis is concerns the preparation of Alkali Activated Materials, specifically Alkali Activated Slag (AAS), with the addition of fiber reinforcement. Alkali Activated Materials have great potential for use in construction practice. However, their use is limited by certain undesirable properties, which can be diminished by adding fiber reinforcement. This thesis deals with the influence of carbon fibers (2 % by weight of the binder) and carbon nanotubes (0,2 % by weigh of the binder) on the mechanical properties, microstructure and shrinkage of AAS. The results of the experiments which were carried out correspond with the literary research. Conclusions of this thesis agree with research published in original scientific papers.

Alkali activated materials have great potential to be a material that could compete with Portland cement. Compared to concretes based on Portland cement they often exhibit greater durability and resistance to aggressive agents such as sulphates. Also their resistance to high temperature is substantial. This work is devoted to research on behavior of alkali-activated materials, particularly fly ash activated by sodium water glass and sodium hydroxide, exposed to these extreme conditions. The evaluation of properties was performed based on the detection of physico-mechanical parameters and microstructure examination by RTG diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

This thesis deals with development of shrinkage reducing admixtures designed for alkali activated materials based on blast furnace slag. The main task of this work is to select the most suitable shrinkage reducing admixture based on experiments, in which can be observed minimal shrinkage and at the same time it will not adversely affect the properties of alkali activated blast furnace slag. In the experimental part of the work, test beams containing shrinkage reducing admixtures were prepared, in which the shrinkage and loss of weight were measured. Moreover, the mechanical properties of individual beams, such as tensile strength and compressive strength, were measured. Next, the surface tension of individual shrinkage reducing admixtures was measured in a mixture with pore solution. The hydration process of alkali activated materials under the action of reducing shrinkage admixtures was monitored by calorimetric analysis. The microstructure of the prepared samples was observed by scanning electron microscopy.

Alkali-activated materials (AAM) are construction materials with great potential, especially for their environmental friendliness, but also due to their mechanical properties. Therefore, it is appropriate to pay further attention to these binders. This diploma thesis deals with monitoring the effectiveness of plasticizers in connection with the surface chemistry of the alkali-activated slag system. Sodium hydroxide and sodium water glass were used as alkaline activators for the preparation of alkali-activated blast furnace slag-based systems. To study the effectiveness of the lignosulfonate plasticizer, yield stress, heat flow, adsorption and zeta potential were monitored depending on the amount and time that the plasticizer was added to the system. The results show that the type of activator used in the mixtures plays an important role. NaOH-activated samples revealed the best efficiency of lignosulfonate plasticizers. A key factor in studying the behavior of the studied mixtures was the measurement of the zeta potential, which provided insight into the surface charge of blast furnace slag particles related to the ability of lignosulfonate to adsorb on grains of alkali-activated slag.

Combination of fine ground granulated slag with proper alkaline activator gives alkali-activated slag – a material with remarkable properties. Theoretical part of the thesis deals with summarizing basic informations about alkali-activated slag, its properties, production and utilization. It also follows research devoted to effects of curing of alkali activated slag and shrinkage-reducing admixtures on its properties. Objective of the experimental part is to determine the influence of curing conditions on the mechanical properties and microstructure of alkali-activated slag. These properties are also monitored in alkali-activated slag with carbon nanotubes and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose as an shrinkage-reducing admixtures.

Alkali activated materials could be suitable alternative to construction materials based on ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Therefore, it is advisable to pursue these binders further on. Aim of this thesis is to clarify the effect of lignosulfonate-based plasticizer and polycarboxylate-based superplasticizer on the behaviour and nature of alkali activated materials. For the purposes of studying the efficiency of plasticizing additives, the change of workability of alkali activated blast furnace slag in dependence on time, effect of additives on mechanical properties as well as, with usage of isothermal calorimetry, their impact on kinetics of solidification and hardening had been observed. The stability of the plasticizing admixtures in a high alkaline environment such as water glass and sodium hydroxide had been studied using infrared spectrometry. As a last step, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) had been used while clarifying the chemical changes in the structure of plasticizing additives after adsorption to blast furnace slag.

Alkali activated materials (AAMs) represent construction materials with a huge potential especially because of environmental and economic aspects but sufficient mechanical properties as well. A fibre or fabric reinforcement of the AAMs could support more widespread application potential due to the mechanical properties, fracture toughness or composite durability improvement. Various alkaline activators were used for a blast furnace slag (BFS) activation to produce a suitable matrix for basalt fibres (BF) implementation in this thesis. The BFs represent applicable reinforcing material because of its favourable mechanical and thermal properties. Still, the utilization of BFs in the AAMs is quite limited due to the fibres low chemical stability under the alkaline conditions. Accelerated leaching tests with a determination of basalt fibres chemical composition same as tensile strength change using various analytical techniques (XRD, XPS, SEM-EDX, ICP-OES) have confirmed these assumptions. An influence of basalt fabric reinforcement in one or more layers on the mechanical properties was determined with the meaning of the compressive and flexural strengths. The fibre/matrix adhesion and transition zone properties were studied using SEM-EDX and pull-out tests as well because they are crucial parameters for the composite material reinforcement efficiency.