Understanding the binder chemistry, microstructure, and physical properties of volcanic ash phosphate geopolymer binder

Abstract

This work aims to assess the influence of the chemical composition of the binder resulting from the reaction of phosphoric acid and volcanic ash on its final characteristics. Six initial compositions of volcanic ash phosphate geopolymer with molar ratios Fe/P of 0.27, 0.5, 0.54, 0.81, 1, and 1.5 were designed by adding various dosages of phosphoric acid to volcanic ash. The results show that the hardening time increases with the decrease of molar ratios Fe/P. An excess of phosphoric acid leads to an unstable binder that is partially destroyed with the aging of the binder. The volcanic ash phosphate geopolymer with molar ratios of Fe/P = 0.5–0.54 has the optimum compressive strength (49–53 MPa at 90 days), the lowest water absorption (8.8-9.5 wt.%) as well as porosity (18–19.6 vol.%). The main binder is a porous phase of ferro-silico-aluminophosphate. Secondary phases were also identified in some mixes including ferro-aluminophosphate and magnesium phosphate.