This research presents the overall results obtained by investigating the performances of fly ash based geopolymers activated at room temperature. Several characterization tests have been perfomed, starting from a deep understanding of the raw materials, in view of finding alternative solutions to the use of traditional hydraulic binders or ceramic materials via alkali-activation. Different types of geopolymer samples (i.e., pastes, mortars and reinforced mortars) have been formulated by varying the nominal Na2O/SiO2 molar ratio in the activating solutions (and in a specific case the curing conditions) and their chemical, physical, mechanical and microstructural performances have been evaluated comparing the results obtained by using different types of precursors and by a traditional cement-based binder. Specific attention has ben focused on durability issues such as high temperature applications and corrosion resistance of the embedded rebars in geopolymer mortars exposed to aggressive environments. Alkali-activation has been found to represent a valid approach in developing performant cement-free products but step forward are needed in order to optimize the solution chemistry and enhance physical and mechanical properties starting from a deep understand at nanoscale of the geopolymerization reaction mechanisms.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unibo.it/oai:amsdottorato.cib.unibo.it:7373 |
| Date | January 1900 |
| Creators | Natali, Maria Elia <1984> |
| Contributors | Bignozzi, Maria |
| Publisher | Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna |
| Source Sets | Università di Bologna |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Doctoral Thesis, PeerReviewed |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess |
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