Role of the silica source on the geopolymerization rate

The synthesis of geopolymer-silica composites was achieved at room temperature to determine the role of the silica source (quartz or amorphous silica) on the polycondensation rate and the mechanical properties of synthesized materials. Then, samples with a composition range from 100% quartz to 100% amorphous silica were formed, compared and characterized by XRD, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, SEM, and compression tests. The results give evidence that the increase of amorphous silica in the mixture favors the polycondensation reaction (i.e., “geopolymerization”) to form consolidated materials whereas quartz led to heterogeneous materials without cohesion. These facts are explained by the modification of the Si/Al ratio in the geopolymer matrix due to the increase of quartz in the mixture.