Effect of high temperature on the mechanical properties of hierarchical porous cenosphere/geopolymer composite foams

Abstract

A hierarchical porous cenosphere/geopolymer composite foam (FHCs/KGP) was fabricated by the simultaneous incorporation of O2 pore from hydrogen peroxide and cenosphere filler addition. Effects of both H2O2 content and high-temperature treatment on the microstructure, porosity and strength of porous FHCs/KGP foams were investigated systematically. The obtained FHCs/KGP foams showed typical amorphous structure and desirable porosity from 65 to 82%. The composites could crystallize in situ to FHCs/leucite foams above 1000℃. Compression strength of the FHCs/leucite foams showed a maximum value of 5 ± 0.3 MPa when treated at 1000°C. The improvement of mechanical properties for the composite foams was attributed to crack deflection, fractured microspheres and the good bond between the FHCs and matrix. This study could open opportunities to employ cellular foams as alternatives in structure and filtration applications.