Now showing 1 - 10 of 23
  • Publication
    Comparison Study on Microstructure Properties of Kaolin Based Geopolymer Ceramics with Addition of UHMWPE under Different Sintering Condition
    ( 2020-07-17) ; ;
    Ibrahim W.M.W.
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    Sandu A.V.
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    Vizureanu P.
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    Tengah M.S.
    To better understand the structure-mechanical properties relation of additively fabrication of kaolin geopolymer ceramics with sintering method, a comparison study was performed. Kaolin based geopolymer ceramics were synthesized starting from the powders of kaolin based geopolymer, using powder metallurgy method. Typically, the sintering method used are one step (1200 °C - 5 min) and novel two step sintering processes (600 °C-5 min and 1200 °C - 5 min) for both kaolin based geopolymer ceramics with and without ultra high molecular weight polyethylene were applied and compared. The outcome revealed that there is no phase changes on the both sintering method pattern and the two step sintering method giving a smooth surface owing to the densification process during the preheat treatment.
      2
  • Publication
    Behavior of alkali-activated fly ash through underwater placement
    ( 2021-11-01) ; ;
    Li Long-Yuan
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    Nergis D.D.B.
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    Muhammad Aiman Asyraf Zainal Hakimi
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    Sandu A.V.
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    Vizureanu P.
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    Underwater concrete is a cohesive self-consolidated concrete used for concreting underwater structures such as bridge piers. Conventional concrete used anti-washout admixture (AWA) to form a high-viscosity underwater concrete to minimise the dispersion of concrete material into the surrounding water. The reduction of quality for conventional concrete is mainly due to the washing out of cement and fine particles upon casting in the water. This research focused on the detailed investigations into the setting time, washout effect, compressive strength, and chemical composition analysis of alkali-activated fly ash (AAFA) paste through underwater placement in seawater and freshwater. Class C fly ash as source materials, sodium silicate, and sodium hydroxide solution as alkaline activator were used for this study. Specimens produced through underwater placement in seawater showed impressive performance with strength 71.10 MPa on 28 days. According to the Standard of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE), the strength of specimens for underwater placement must not be lower than 80% of the specimen’s strength prepared in dry conditions. As result, the AAFA specimens only showed 12.11% reduction in strength compared to the specimen prepared in dry conditions, thus proving that AAFA paste has high potential to be applied in seawater and freshwater applications.
      2
  • Publication
    Near-Infrared (NIR) Silver Sulfide (Ag₂S) Semiconductor Photocatalyst Film for Degradation of Methylene Blue Solution
    ( 2023-01-01)
    Mubarokah Z.R.
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    ; ; ; ;
    Błoch K.
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    Nabiałek M.
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    Baltatu M.S.
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    Sandu A.V.
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    Vizureanu P.
    A silver sulfide (Ag2S) semiconductor photocatalyst film has been successfully synthesized using a solution casting method. To produce the photocatalyst films, two types of Ag2S powder were used: a commercialized and synthesized powder. For the commercialized powder (CF/comAg2S), the Ag2S underwent a rarefaction process to reduce its crystallite size from 52 nm to 10 nm, followed by incorporation into microcrystalline cellulose using a solution casting method under the presence of an alkaline/urea solution. A similar process was applied to the synthesized Ag2S powder (CF/syntAg2S), resulting from the co-precipitation process of silver nitrate (AgNO3) and thiourea. The prepared photocatalyst films and their photocatalytic efficiency were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The results showed that the incorporation of the Ag2S powder into the cellulose films could reduce the peak intensity of the oxygen-containing functional group, which indicated the formation of a composite film. The study of the crystal structure confirmed that all of the as-prepared samples featured a monoclinic acanthite Ag2S structure with space group P21/C. It was found that the degradation rate of the methylene blue dye reached 100% within 2 h under sunlight exposure when using CF/comAg2S and 98.6% for the CF/syntAg2S photocatalyst film, and only 48.1% for the bare Ag2S powder. For the non-exposure sunlight samples, the degradation rate of only 33–35% indicated the importance of the semiconductor near-infrared (NIR) Ag2S photocatalyst used.
      2
  • Publication
    Improvements of Flexural Properties and Thermal Performance in Thin Geopolymer Based on Fly Ash and Ladle Furnace Slag Using Borax Decahydrates
    ( 2022-06-01)
    Ng Yong-Sing
    ;
    ; ; ;
    Pakawanit P.
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    Vizureanu P.
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    Khalid M.S.
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    Ng Hui-Teng
    ;
    Hanh Yong-Jie
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    Nabiałek M.
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    Pietrusiewicz P.
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    Garus S.
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    Sochacki W.
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    Śliwa A.
    This paper elucidates the influence of borax decahydrate addition on the flexural and thermal properties of 10 mm thin fly ash/ladle furnace slag (FAS) geopolymers. The borax decahydrate (2, 4, 6, and 8 wt.%) was incorporated to produce FAB geopolymers. Heat treatment was applied with temperature ranges of 300◦C, 600◦C, 900◦C, 1000◦C and 1100◦C. Unexposed FAB geopolymers experienced a drop in strength due to a looser matrix with higher porosity. However, borax decahydrate inclusion significantly enhanced the flexural performance of thin geopolymers after heating. FAB2 and FAB8 geopolymers reported higher flexural strength of 26.5 MPa and 47.8 MPa, respectively, at 1000◦C as compared to FAS geopolymers (24.1 MPa at 1100◦C). The molten B2O3 provided an adhesive medium to assemble the aluminosilicates, improving the interparticle connectivity which led to a drastic strength increment. Moreover, the borax addition reduced the glass transition temperature, forming more refractory crystalline phases at lower temperatures. This induced a significant strength increment in FAB geopolymers with a factor of 3.6 for FAB8 at 900◦C, and 4.0 factor for FAB2 at 1000◦C, respectively. Comparatively, FAS geopolymers only achieved 3.1 factor in strength increment at 1100◦C. This proved that borax decahydrate could be utilized in the high strength development of thin geopolymers.
      1
  • Publication
    Strength development and elemental distribution of dolomite/fly ash geopolymer composite under elevated temperature
    ( 2020-02-01)
    Azimi E.A.
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    Vizureanu P.
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    Sandu A.V.
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    Chaiprapa J.
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    Yoriya S.
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    ;
    Aziz I.H.
    A geopolymer has been reckoned as a rising technology with huge potential for application across the globe. Dolomite refers to a material that can be used raw in producing geopolymers. Nevertheless, dolomite has slow strength development due to its low reactivity as a geopolymer. In this study, dolomite/fly ash (DFA) geopolymer composites were produced with dolomite, fly ash, sodium hydroxide, and liquid sodium silicate. A compression test was carried out on DFA geopolymers to determine the strength of the composite, while a synchrotron Micro-Xray Fluorescence (Micro-XRF) test was performed to assess the elemental distribution in the geopolymer composite. The temperature applied in this study generated promising properties of DFA geopolymers, especially in strength, which displayed increments up to 74.48 MPa as the optimum value. Heat seemed to enhance the strength development of DFA geopolymer composites. The elemental distribution analysis revealed exceptional outcomes for the composites, particularly exposure up to 400°C, which signified the homogeneity of the DFA composites. Temperatures exceeding 400°C accelerated the strength development, thus increasing the strength of the DFA composites. This appears to be unique because the strength of ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and other geopolymers composed of other raw materials is typically either maintained or decreases due to increased heat.
      2  27
  • Publication
    Chemical Distributions of Different Sodium Hydroxide Molarities on Fly Ash/Dolomite-Based Geopolymer
    ( 2022-09-01) ; ; ;
    Sandu A.V.
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    Vizureanu P.
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    Benjeddou O.
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    Rahim A.
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    Ibrahim M.
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    Sauffi A.S.
    Geopolymers are an inorganic material in an alkaline environment that is synthesized with alumina–silica gel. The structure of geopolymers consists of an inorganic chain of material and a covalent-bound molecular system. Currently, Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) has caused carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions which causes greenhouse effects. This analysis investigates the impact on fly ash/dolomite-based-geopolymer with various molarities of sodium hydroxide solutions which are 6 M, 8 M, 10 M, 12 M and 14 M. The samples of fly ash/dolomite-based-geopolymer were prepared with the usage of solid to liquid of 2.0, by mass and alkaline activator ratio of 2.5, by mass. After that, the geopolymer was cast in 50 × 50 × 50 mm molds before testing after 7 days of curing. The samples were tested on compressive strength, density, water absorption, morphology, elemental distributions and phase analysis. From the results, the usage of 8 M of NaOH gave the optimum properties for the fly ash/dolomite-based geopolymer. The elemental distribution analysis exposes the Al, Si, Ca, Fe and Mg chemical distribution of the samples from the selected area. The distribution of the elements is related to the compressive strength and compared with the chemical composition of the fly ash and dolomite.
      2  26
  • Publication
    Improvements of Flexural Properties and Thermal Performance in Thin Geopolymer Based on Fly Ash and Ladle Furnace Slag Using Borax Decahydrates
    ( 2022-06-01)
    Ng Yong-Sing
    ;
    ; ; ;
    Pakawanit P.
    ;
    Vizureanu P.
    ;
    Khalid M.S.
    ;
    Ng Hui-Teng
    ;
    Yong-Jie H.
    ;
    Nabiałek M.
    ;
    Pietrusiewicz P.
    ;
    Garus S.
    ;
    Sochacki W.
    ;
    Śliwa A.
    This paper elucidates the influence of borax decahydrate addition on the flexural and thermal properties of 10 mm thin fly ash/ladle furnace slag (FAS) geopolymers. The borax decahydrate (2, 4, 6, and 8 wt.%) was incorporated to produce FAB geopolymers. Heat treatment was applied with temperature ranges of 300◦C, 600◦C, 900◦C, 1000◦C and 1100◦C. Unexposed FAB geopolymers experienced a drop in strength due to a looser matrix with higher porosity. However, borax decahydrate inclusion significantly enhanced the flexural performance of thin geopolymers after heating. FAB2 and FAB8 geopolymers reported higher flexural strength of 26.5 MPa and 47.8 MPa, respectively, at 1000◦C as compared to FAS geopolymers (24.1 MPa at 1100◦C). The molten B2O3 provided an adhesive medium to assemble the aluminosilicates, improving the interparticle connectivity which led to a drastic strength increment. Moreover, the borax addition reduced the glass transition temperature, forming more refractory crystalline phases at lower temperatures. This induced a significant strength increment in FAB geopolymers with a factor of 3.6 for FAB8 at 900◦C, and 4.0 factor for FAB2 at 1000◦C, respectively. Comparatively, FAS geopolymers only achieved 3.1 factor in strength increment at 1100◦C. This proved that borax decahydrate could be utilized in the high strength development of thin geopolymers.
      1
  • Publication
    Recent Developments in Steelmaking Industry and Potential Alkali Activated Based Steel Waste: A Comprehensive Review
    ( 2022-03-01)
    Ikmal Hakem Aziz
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    ; ; ;
    Li L.Y.
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    Sandu A.V.
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    Vizureanu P.
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    Nemes O.
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    Mahdi S.N.
    The steel industry is responsible for one-third of all global industrial CO2 emissions, putting pressure on the industry to shift forward towards more environmentally friendly production methods. The metallurgical industry is under enormous pressure to reduce CO2 emissions as a result of growing environmental concerns about global warming. The reduction in CO2 emissions is normally fulfilled by recycling steel waste into alkali-activated cement. Numerous types of steel waste have been produced via three main production routes, including blast furnace, electric arc furnace, and basic oxygen furnace. To date, all of the steel waste has been incorporated into alkali activation system to enhance the properties. This review focuses on the current developments over the last ten years in the steelmaking industry. This work also summarizes the utilization of steel waste for improving cement properties through an alkali activation system. Finally, this work presents some future research opportunities with regard to the potential of steel waste to be utilized as an alkali-activated material.
      3  23
  • Publication
    Alkaline-Activation Technique to Produce Low-Temperature Sintering Activated-HAp Ceramic
    ( 2023-02-01) ; ;
    Jamil N.H.
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    Mohamad H.
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    Sandu A.V.
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    Vizureanu P.
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    Baltatu M.S.
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    Sukmak P.
    The fabrication of hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics prepared by existing conventional sintering requires high-temperature sintering of 1250 °C to 1300 °C. In this paper, the activated metakaolin (MK)/HAp specimens were prepared from varied mix design inputs, which were varied solid mixtures (different amounts of MK loading in HAp) and liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratios, before being pressed and sintered at 900 °C. Phase analysis, thermal analysis, surface morphology, and tensile strength of the specimens were investigated to study the influences of the Al, Si, Fe, Na, and K composition on the formation of the hydroxyapatite phase and its tensile strength. XRD analysis results show the formation of different phases was obtained from the different mix design inputs HAp (hexagonal and monoclinic), calcium phosphate, sodium calcium phosphate silicate and calcium hydrogen phosphate hydrate. Interestingly, the specimen with the addition of 30 g MK prepared at a 1.25 L/S ratio showed the formation of a monoclinic hydroxyapatite phase, resulting in the highest diametrical tensile strength of 12.52 MPa. Moreover, the increment in the MK amount in the specimens promotes better densification when sintered at 900 °C, which was highlighted in the microstructure study. This may be attributed to the Fe2O3, Na2O, and K2O contents in the MK and alkaline activator, which acted as a self-fluxing agent and contributed to the lower sintering temperature. Therefore, the research revealed that the addition of MK in the activated-HAp system could achieve a stable hydroxyapatite phase and better tensile strength at a low sintering temperature.
      1  32
  • Publication
    Computer Simulations of End-Tapering Anchorages of EBR FRP-Strengthened Prestressed Concrete Slabs at Service Conditions
    ( 2023-01-01)
    Wattanapanich C.
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    Imjai T.
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    Garcia R.
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    ; ;
    Sandu A.V.
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    Vizureanu P.
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    Matasaru P.D.
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    Thomas B.S.
    This article examines numerically the behavior of prestressed reinforced concrete slabs strengthened with externally bonded reinforcement (EBR) consisting of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets. The non-linear finite element (FE) program Abaqus® is used to model EBR FRP-strengthened prestressed concrete slabs tested previously in four-point bending. After the calibration of the computational models, a parametric study is then conducted to assess the influence of the FRP axial stiffness (thickness and modulus of elasticity) on the interfacial normal and shear stresses. The numerical analysis results show that increasing the thickness or the elastic modulus of the FRP strengthening affects the efficiency of the FRP bonding and makes it susceptible to earlier debonding failures. A tapering technique is proposed in wet lay-up applications since multiple FRP layers are often required. It is shown that by gradually decreasing the thickness of the FRP strengthening, the concentration of stress along the plate end can be reduced, and thus, the overall strengthening performance is maximized. The tapering is successful in reducing the bond stress concentrations by up to 15%, which can be sufficient to prevent concrete rip-off and peel-off debonding failure modes. This article contributes towards a better understanding of the debonding phenomena in FRP-strengthened elements in flexure and towards the development of more efficient computational tools to analyze such structures.
      1  14