Investigation of the waterproof property of alkali-activated metakaolin geopolymer added with rice husk ash

摘要

Recycled utilization of agricultural waste would make great contributions to the environmental protection and create significant economic benefits. This study focused on the use of rice husk ash (which was abbreviated as RHA), and the metakaolin-based geopolymer (MG) added with RHA were manufactured by alkali activation. The waterproof property and microstructure of samples were investigated and characterized systematically. The SiO2 particles dissolved from the loose layers of RHA could be a potential filler and high active agent, which both played a vital role on the development of enhancement in waterproof property. However, the excessive incorporation of RHA in the synthesis process of geopolymer would also make a side effect on the development of geopolymer comprehensive property. A predictable balance with the optimal property was achieved at the 20% content replacement of MK by RHA. This research would provide a reference for the reuse of agricultural by-product, which is of great value in the realization of diversification in supplementary cementitious materials and recycling in agricultural wastes. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.