Zilu Xie, Zengzhen Qian, Xianlong Lu, Hao Wang, Phatyoufy Lai
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Aeolian sand is the primary geological material for construction in desert regions, and its stabilization with industrial solid wastes-based geopolymer (ISWG) provides an eco-friendly treatment replacing cement. This study comparatively investigated the enhancement effects of chemical activators and expansive agents on compressive strength of aeolian sand stabilized by ISWG (ASIG). Three chemical activators-NaOH, Ca(OH)2, and CaCl2-along with two expansive agents-desulfurized gypsum and bentonite-were considered. Through X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry and pH values tests, the enhancement mechanisms of the additives on ASIG were elucidated. Results demonstrate that the expansive agent exhibits significantly superior strengthening effects on ASIG compared to the widely applied chemical activators. Chemical activators promoted ISWs dissolution and hydration product synthesis, thereby densifying the hydration product matrix but concurrently enlarged interparticle pores. Desulfurized gypsum incorporation induced morphological changes in ettringite, and excessive desulfurized gypsum generated substantial ettringite that disrupted gel matrix. In contrast, bentonite demonstrated superior pore-filling efficacy while densifying gel matrix through a compaction effect. These findings highlight bentonite superior compatibility with the unique microstructure of aeolian sand compared to conventional alkaline activators or expansive agents, and better effectiveness in enhancing the strength of ASIG.
期刊介绍:
The journal Gels (ISSN 2310-2861) is an international, open access journal on physical (supramolecular) and chemical gel-based materials. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible. Therefore, there is no restriction on the maximum length of the papers, and full experimental details must be provided so that the results can be reproduced. Short communications, full research papers and review papers are accepted formats for the preparation of the manuscripts.
Gels aims to serve as a reference journal with a focus on gel materials for researchers working in both academia and industry. Therefore, papers demonstrating practical applications of these materials are particularly welcome. Occasionally, invited contributions (i.e., original research and review articles) on emerging issues and high-tech applications of gels are published as special issues.