Yubin Jun

Phase Changes of Monosulfoaluminate in NaCl Aqueous Solution

Monosulfoaluminate (Ca4Al2(SO4)(OH)12∙6H2O) plays an important role in anion binding in Portland cement by exchanging its original interlayer ions (SO42− and OH−) with chloride ions. In this study, scanning transmission X-ray microscope (STXM), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to investigate the phase change of monosulfoaluminate due to its interaction with chloride ions. Pure monosulfoaluminate was synthesized and its powder samples were suspended in 0, 0.1, 1, 3, and 5 M NaCl solutions for seven days. At low chloride concentrations, a partial dissolution of monosulfoaluminate formed ettringite, while, with increasing chloride content, the dissolution process was suppressed. As the NaCl concentration increased, the dominant mechanism of the phase change became ion exchange, resulting in direct phase transformation from monosulfoaluminate to Kuzel’s salt or Friedel’s salt. The phase assemblages of the NaCl-reacted samples were explored using thermodynamic calculations and least-square linear combination (LC) fitting of measured XANES spectra. A comprehensive description of the phase change and its dominant mechanism are discussed.

Microstructure and Strength of Class F Fly Ash based Geopolymer Containing Sodium Sulfate as an Additive

This paper presents an investigation of the mechanical and microstructural properties of Class F fly ash based geopolymer containing sodium sulfate as an additive. Sodium sulfate was used as an chemical additive at the dosage levels of 0, 2, 4, and 6wt% of fly ash. Sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solutions were used to activate fly ash. The compressive strengths of geopolymer pastes were measured at the age of 28 days. The microstructures of the geopolymer pastes were examined using XRD, MIP and SEM tests. The additions of 2wt% and 4wt% sodium sulfate produced geopolymers with high strength, while increasing the dosage of levels to 6% resulted in almost no changes in strength, comparing with the control geopolymer. The optimum increase in strength was obtained with the addition of 4wt% sodium sulfate. As the amount of sodium sulfate is increased, no additional crystalline phase was detected and no change of amorphous phase indicated despite the change in the strength development. The increase in the strength was due to the change of pore size distribution in samples. As addition of sodium sulfate altered the morphologies of reactive productions and Si/Al ratios of the reaction products, the strengths were thus affected. It was found that the strengths of geopolymer were larger for lower Si/Al ratios of reaction products formed in samples. The optimal amount of sodium sulfate in the fly ash based geopolymer helps to improve mechanical properties of the geopolymer, on the other hand, the high percentage of sodium sulfate could exist as an impurity in the geopolymer and hinder the geopolymer reaction.

Microstructure and Strength Properties of Alkali-activated Binder mixed with Sea Water

This paper presents an investigation of the mechanical and microstructural properties on hardened samples that were synthesized using blended binder(fly ash(FA) and blast furnace slag cement(BFSC)), alkali activator and sea water or distilled water. Binders were prepared by mixing the FA and BFSC in different blend weight ratios of 6:4, 7:3 and 8:2. Sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate were used 5 wt% of binder, respectively, as an alkaline activator. The compressive strength and absorption were measured at the age of 3, 7 and 28 days, and the XRD, TGA and MIP tests were performed at the age of 28 days. An increase in the content of BFSC leads to an increase in the quantities of ettringite and C-S-H formed, regardless of the type of mixing water. And it also shows higher strength due to the reduction of pores larger than ~50 nm. All hardened samples in this study have common hydration products of C-S-H, Ca(OH)2 and calcite. Hydrocalumite of all reaction products formed was only present in hardened sample mixed with sea water. For each FA/BFSC mixing ratio, the compressive strength of hardened sample mixed with sea water was similar to that mixed with distilled water. It is proposed that the slight increase of strength of samples mixed with sea water is mainly due to the presence of hydrocalumite phase containing chlorine ion, contributing to the change of total porosity and pore size distribution in samples.