X-ray Pair Distribution Function Analysis of Potassium Based Geopolymer
The atomic structure of geopolymers is often described as amorphous with a local structure that is equivalent to that of crystalline zeolites. However, this structural relationship has never been quantified beyond a first-nearest-neighbor bonding environment. In this study, the short to medium range (1 nm) structural order of metakaolin-based KAlSi{sub 2}O{sub 6}{center_dot}5.5H{sub 2}O geopolymer was quantified and compared to zeolitic tetragonal leucite (KAlSi2O6) using the X-ray atomic pair distribution function technique. Unheated KAlSi{sub 2}O{sub 6}{center_dot}5.5H{sub 2}O was found to be structurally similar to leucite out to a length of 8 {angstrom}, but had increased medium range disorder over the 4.5 {angstrom} < r < 8 {angstrom} range. On heating to >300 C, changes in the short to medium range structure were observed due to dehydration and removal of chemically bound water. Crystallization of leucite occurred in samples heated beyond 1050 C. Refinements of a leucite model against the PDF data for geopolymer heated to 1100 C for 24 h yielded a good fit.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Doe - Office Of Science
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 980685
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-93603-2010-JA; JMACEP; TRN: US201015%%2070
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Materials Chemistry, Vol. 18, Issue 48; ISSN 0959-9428
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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