Effect of Na2SiO3/NaOH mass ratio on the development of structure of an industrial waste-based geopolymer

The increase of industrial activity gives rise to an increase of quantity of solid waste that can have a negative impact on the environment and human life. among these solid wastes,we can cite the industrial sludge. this study investigates the variation effect of na2si2o3/naoh mass ratio on the development of structure of an industrial calcined sludge-based geopolymer. to reach this goal,a mechanical mixer was used to blend the calcined industrial sludge and the sodium silicate solution. the homogeneous paste obtained was poured into cylindrical molds and cured at room temperature under atmospheric pressure for 18 days,then at 50°c until compressive strength tests. the structural change of geopolymer based calcined industrial sludge was followed by ftir spectroscopy,xrd and tem analysis. the compressive strength of geopolymer specimens prepared from the calcined industrial sludge depends on the na2si2o3/naoh ratio. the xrd analysis of geopolymer based calcined industrial sludge confirms that is an amorphous material. the micrographs obtained by met of this material show the presence of a new solid phase in cluster form. the results obtained by ftir spectroscopy indicate that the reaction between the calcined industrial sludge and the sodium silicate solution resulted in the formation of a new aluminosilicate phase rich with aluminum species.