Mechanically activated kaolin replacing metakaolin in alkali-activated cement formulation

This work provides in-depth research on alkali-activated binder formulations, employing mechanically activatedkaolin (K-MA) as a substitute precursor for metakaolin (MK). The potential of K-MA to replace MK was evaluated byconducting an extensive characterization of the alkali-activated cements (AAC...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Marco-Gibert, Josep, Alvarez-Coscojuela, Adrian, Mañosa Bover, Jofre, Formosa Mitjans, Joan, Chimenos Ribera, Josep Ma.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2445/226011
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/226011
Access Level:acceso embargado
Palabra clave:Reducció del diòxid de carboni
Ciment pòrtland
Impacte ambiental
Minerals d'argila
Caolí
Carbon dioxide mitigation
Portland cement
Environmental impact
Clay minerals
Kaolin
Descripción
Sumario:This work provides in-depth research on alkali-activated binder formulations, employing mechanically activatedkaolin (K-MA) as a substitute precursor for metakaolin (MK). The potential of K-MA to replace MK was evaluated byconducting an extensive characterization of the alkali-activated cements (AACs). The structural analysis performedthrough Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA),<sup>27</sup>Aluminum magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (<sup>27</sup>Al MAS NMR), and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) revealed that K-MA enhances the amorphous nature and microstructural homogeneity of cements. The resultsdemonstrated that K-MA-based cements exhibit superior compressive strength than MK-based cements, especiallywhen sodium silicate (waterglass) was added, achieving values up to 42 MPa at 28 days. These findings suggest thatK-MA is a highly effective precursor for AACs formulation, as well as an alternative to replace MK. While thermalactivation (TA) processes for dehydroxylation are associated with significant CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, mechanical activation(MA) offers a more sustainable alternative by utilizing electrical energy, which can be derived from less pollutingrenewable sources.