Multistep kinetics of the thermal dehydration/decomposition of metakaolin-based geopolymer paste

Shindo, Manami*; Ueoku, Aya*; Okamura, Wakana*; Kikuchi, Shin  ; Yamazaki, Atsushi*; Koga, Nobuyoshi*

This study investigated the kinetics of the multistep thermal dehydration/decomposition of the metakaolin-based geopolymer paste. The component two reaction steps were characterized by the evolution of water vapor and the simultaneous evolution of water vapor and CO, respectively. In a stream of dry N, the kinetics of the first and second reaction steps were characterized by the apparent activation energy (Ea) values of 92 and 166 kJ mol, respectively. Both reaction steps exhibited a diffusion-controlled rate behavior. In a stream of wet N, the mass loss curves systematically shifted to higher temperatures with an increase in the water vapor pressure (p(HO)). The first reaction step was significantly influenced by p(HO), and the apparent Ea increased to 175 kJ mol at p(HO) = 11.4 kPa. The second reaction step was less sensitive to the atmospheric water vapor, as characterized by its Ea of 165 kJ mol , irrespective of the p(HO).