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Effect of the sintering mechanism on the crystallization kinetics of geopolymer-based ceramics

2023 , Nur Bahijah Mustapa , Romisuhani Ahmad , Andrei Victor Sandu , Mohd. Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah , Ovidiu Nemes , Wan Mastura Wan Ibrahim , Petrica Vizureanu , Christina Wahyu Kartikowati , Puput Risdanareni

This research aims to study the effects of the sintering mechanism on the crystallization kinetics when the geopolymer is sintered at different temperatures: 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C, 1000 °C, and 1200 °C for a 3 h soaking time with a heating rate of 5 °C/min. The geopolymer is made up of kaolin and sodium silicate as the precursor and an alkali activator, respectively. Characterization of the nepheline produced was carried out using XRF to observe the chemical composition of the geopolymer ceramics. The microstructures and the phase characterization were determined by using SEM and XRD, respectively. The SEM micrograph showed the microstructural development of the geopolymer ceramics as well as identifying reacted/unreacted regions, porosity, and cracks. The maximum flexural strength of 78.92 MPa was achieved by geopolymer sintered at 1200 °C while the minimum was at 200 °C; 7.18 MPa. The result indicates that the flexural strength increased alongside the increment in the sintering temperature of the geopolymer ceramics. This result is supported by the data from the SEM micrograph, where at the temperature of 1000 °C, the matrix structure of geopolymer-based ceramics starts to become dense with the appearance of pores.

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Effect of the sintering mechanism on the crystallization kinetics of Geopolymer-Based ceramics

2023 , Nur Bahijah Mustapa , Romisuhani Ahmad , Mohd. Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah , Wan Mastura Wan Ibrahim , Andrei Victor Sandu , Ovidiu Nemes , Petrica Vizureanu , Christina W. Kartikowati , Puput Risdanareni

This research aims to study the effects of the sintering mechanism on the crystallization kinetics when the geopolymer is sintered at different temperatures: 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C, 1000 °C, and 1200 °C for a 3 h soaking time with a heating rate of 5 °C/min. The geopolymer is made up of kaolin and sodium silicate as the precursor and an alkali activator, respectively. Characterization of the nepheline produced was carried out using XRF to observe the chemical composition of the geopolymer ceramics. The microstructures and the phase characterization were determined by using SEM and XRD, respectively. The SEM micrograph showed the microstructural development of the geopolymer ceramics as well as identifying reacted/unreacted regions, porosity, and cracks. The maximum flexural strength of 78.92 MPa was achieved by geopolymer sintered at 1200 °C while the minimum was at 200 °C; 7.18 MPa. The result indicates that the flexural strength increased alongside the increment in the sintering temperature of the geopolymer ceramics. This result is supported by the data from the SEM micrograph, where at the temperature of 1000 °C, the matrix structure of geopolymer-based ceramics starts to become dense with the appearance of pores.

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Effect of sintering mechanism towards crystallization of geopolymer ceramic - a review

2023-05-31 , Nur Bahijah Mustapa , Romisuhani Ahmad , Wan Mastura Wan Ibrahim , Mohd. Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah , Nuttawit Wattanasakulpong , Ovidiu NemeÈ™ , Andrei Victor Sandu , Petrica Vizureanu , Ioan Gabriel Sandu , Christina W. Kartikowati , Puput Risdanareni

Globally, there is an increasing need for ceramic materials that have a variety of applications in the environment, for precision tools, and for the biomedical, electronics, and environmental industries. However, in order to obtain remarkable mechanical qualities, ceramics have to be manufactured at a high temperature of up to 1600 °C over a long heating period. Furthermore, the conventional approach presents issues with agglomeration, irregular grain growth, and furnace pollution. Many researchers have developed an interest in using geopolymer to produce ceramic materials, focusing on improving the performances of geopolymer ceramics. In addition to helping to lower the sintering temperature, it also improves the strength and other properties of the ceramics. Geopolymer is a product of polymerization involving aluminosilicate sources such as fly ash, metakaolin, kaolin, and slag through activation using an alkaline solution. The sources of the raw materials, the ratio of the alkaline solution, the sintering time, the calcining temperature, the mixing time, and the curing time may have significant impacts on the qualities. Therefore, this review aims to study the effects of sintering mechanisms on the crystallization of geopolymer ceramics, concerning the strength achieved. A future research opportunity is also presented in this review.

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Densification behavior and mechanical performance of Nepheline geopolymer ceramics: preliminary study

2023 , Nur Bahijah Mustapa , Romisuhani Ahmad , Mohd. Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah , Wan Mastura Wan Ibrahim , Andrei Victor Sandu , Christina Wahyu Kartikowati , Puput Risdanareni , Wan Hasnida Wan Mohamed Saimi

Nepheline geopolymer ceramics have emerged as a promising sustainable alternative to traditional cementitious materials in various applications. As the sintering mechanism plays a crucial role in the densification and mechanical performance of ceramics, therefore, in this paper, a preliminary study was conducted to examine the effects of densification towards mechanical properties of geopolymer-based nepheline ceramics upon sintering. The said innovative geopolymer technology can convert raw materials of aluminosilicate activating with alkaline activator into ceramic-like materials requiring low temperatures. The experimental procedure includes the synthesis of nepheline geopolymer ceramics through the geopolymerization method, then sintered at different temperatures to explore the sintering behavior and its impact on the materials’ microstructure and mechanical performance. The densification behavior of nepheline geopolymer ceramics during sintering was analyzed by evaluating the changes in density, shrinkage, and porosity. The microstructural evolution and are determined by using SEM. The relationships between sintering conditions, microstructure, and mechanical performance were investigated to understand the underlying mechanisms affecting the material’s strength and durability. The geopolymer exhibited its highest flexural strength of 54.93 MPa when sintered at 1200 ℃, while the lowest strength of 6.07 MPa was observed at a sintering temperature of 200 ℃. The findings demonstrate a positive correlation between the sintering temperature and the flexural strength of the geopolymer ceramics, indicating that higher temperatures lead to increased strength. Ultimately, this knowledge can facilitate the broader utilization of nepheline geopolymer ceramics as sustainable materials in various engineering and construction applications.

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Development of kaolin geopolymer ceramic with addition of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) as binder for lightweight ceramics

2018 , Romisuhani Ahmad

A lightweight ceramic material displays physical, mechanical and structural features which is highly preferred in modern ceramic industry. Geopolymer technology has been involved in many applications including in the formation of ceramic. The transformation phase of geopolymer from amorphous to crystalline upon heating require a low processing temperature compared to the conventional ceramics. A major synthetic process for industrialised lightweight ceramics is to use additives which are organic in nature such as binders, plasticizers, surfactants and lubricants.This study investigated the use of geopolymer in producing ceramic materials where kaolin was used as main source material and Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene was added as binder. In this study, the solid-to-liquid ratio of 1.0 and alkaline activator ratio of 0.24 were fixed. Kaolin geopolymer were then cured at 80 °C for 24 hours, the samples were then crushed into powder form. By using powder metallurgy method in producing kaolin geopolymer ceramic, three parameters used are sintering temperature (900 °C, 1000 °C, 1100 °C, 1200 °C), binder content (2 wt.%, 4 wt.%, 6 wt.%, 8 wt.%) and sintering method which are conventional and two-steps sintering method. The optimum weight percent of binder were studied by fixing the sintering temperature, while the optimum of sintering temperature were studied by fixing the weight percent of binder based on testing of flexural strength, density, shrinkage, and water absorption. The results indicated that kaolin geopolymer ceramic with the addition of 4 wt.% of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene sintered at 1200 °C using two steps sintering method could achieve an optimum strength of 94.32 MPa with a density of 1.71 g/cm3. Also a smooth surface and increasing in formation of pores were observed, which would facilitate the formation of the lightweight and strong structure. Then, the performance of kaolin geopolymer lightweight ceramic was examined by performing microstructural and mechanical properties tests. The outcomes revealed the possibility to produce a lightweight ceramic based kaolin-geopolymer with a considerable characteristics and mechanical properties, which could open the door for many applications in the future. Geopolymer based lightweight ceramic has been claimed as a promising material, due to its ability to produce a high-performance lightweight ceramic and because of its relevant environmental and economic benefits. Furthermore, lower-powered mechanical and thermal treatments are required to ensure the excellent properties and quality to produce the lightweight ceramic materials lead to a positive effect on the environment hence suitable with the desire for eco-friendly industry.

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Role of sintering temperature in production of nepheline ceramics-based geopolymer with addition of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene

2021 , Romisuhani Ahmad , Mohd. Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah , Jitrin Chaiprapa , Kamarudin Hussin , Wan Mastura Wan Ibrahim , Fakhryna Hannanee Ahmad Zaidi , Jerzy J. Wysłocki , Katarzyna Błoch , Marcin Nabiałek

The primary motivation of developing ceramic materials using geopolymer method is to minimize the reliance on high sintering temperatures. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was added as binder and reinforces the nepheline ceramics based geopolymer. The samples were sintered at 900 °C, 1000 °C, 1100 °C, and 1200 °C to elucidate the influence of sintering on the physical and microstructural properties. The results indicated that a maximum flexural strength of 92 MPa is attainable once the samples are used to be sintered at 1200 °C. It was also determined that the density, porosity, volumetric shrinkage, and water absorption of the samples also affected by the sintering due to the change of microstructure and crystallinity. The IR spectra reveal that the band at around 1400 cm−1 becomes weak, indicating that sodium carbonate decomposed and began to react with the silica and alumina released from gels to form nepheline phases. The sintering process influence in the development of the final microstructure thus improving the properties of the ceramic materials.

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Role of sintering temperature in production of nepheline ceramics-based geopolymer with addition of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene

2022 , Romisuhani Ahmad , Mohd. Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah , Wan Mastura Wan Ibrahim , Kamarudin Hussin , Jitrin Chaiprapa , Jerzy J. Wysłocki , Katarzyna Błoch , Fakhryna Hannanee Ahmad Zaidi , Marcin Nabiałek

The primary motivation of developing ceramic materials using geopolymer method is to minimize the reliance on high sintering temperatures. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was added as binder and reinforces the nepheline ceramics based geopolymer. The samples were sintered at 900 °C, 1000 °C, 1100 °C, and 1200 °C to elucidate the influence of sintering on the physical and microstructural properties. The results indicated that a maximum flexural strength of 92 MPa is attainable once the samples are used to be sintered at 1200 °C. It was also determined that the density, porosity, volumetric shrinkage, and water absorption of the samples also affected by the sintering due to the change of microstructure and crystallinity. The IR spectra reveal that the band at around 1400 cm−1 becomes weak, indicating that sodium carbonate decomposed and began to react with the silica and alumina released from gels to form nepheline phases. The sintering process influence in the development of the final microstructure thus improving the properties of the ceramic materials.