Optimising sodium incorporation into potassium-activated metakaolin-based alkali-activated materials

Chaerun, R. I.; Sato, Junya; Hiraki, Yoshihisa; Yoshida, Yukihiko; Sato, Tsutomu*; Osugi, Takeshi

Construction and Building Materials, 500, p.144270_1 - 144270_10, 2025/11

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.144270

Alkali-activated materials (AAMs), particularly those derived from metakaolin, have gained significant attention as sustainable binders for hazardous waste immobilisation, owing to their dense microstructure and chemical durability. Their amorphous aluminosilicate framework enables effective encapsulation of hazardous materials and reduces environmental risks. However, maintaining the stability of this amorphous network is challenging, particularly when sodium (Na)-rich precursors are used, as excess Na) promotes crystallisation and compromises matrix integrity. This study systematically investigates the influence of Na) concentration on the structural stability of metakaolin-based AAMs activated primarily with potassium (K)). The objective is to identify the threshold Na incorporation level that preserves the amorphous structure and maintains chemical stability. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and thermodynamic modelling were employed to examine the structural evolution of K-AAMs across a range of Na:K molar ratios. The results reveal that higher Na:K ratios induce nanopore formation and early crystallisation of Na-rich zeolitic phases, which can reduce matrix stability. In contrast, an optimal Na:K ratio was identified that maintains the amorphous network and preserves the aluminosilicate framework. These findings provide valuable insights into optimising K-AAMs for advanced, durable waste encapsulation technologies.

Impact of interatomic structural characteristics of aluminosilicate hydrate on the mechanical properties of metakaolin-based geopolymer

Kim, G.*; Cho, S.-M.*; Im, S.*; Suh, H.*; Morooka, Satoshi; Shobu, Takahisa; Kanematsu, Manabu*; Machida, Akihiko*; Bae, S.*

Construction and Building Materials, 411, p.134529_1 - 134529_18, 2024/01

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134529

Insight on the mechanical properties of hierarchical porous calcium-silicate-hydrate pastes according to the Ca/Si molar ratio using synchrotron X-ray scattering and nanoindentation test

Im, S.*; Jee, H.*; Suh, H.*; Kanematsu, Manabu*; Morooka, Satoshi; Choe, H.*; Nishio, Yuhei*; Machida, Akihiko*; Kim, J.*; Lim, S.*; et al.

Construction and Building Materials, 365, p.130034_1 - 130034_18, 2023/02

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.130034

Reduction of contaminated concrete waste by recycling aggregate with the aid of pulsed power discharge

Arifi, E.*; Ishimatsu, Koichi*; Iizasa, Shinya*; Namihira, Takao*; Sakamoto, Hiroyuki*; Tachi, Yukio; Kato, Hiroyasu*; Shigeishi, Mitsuhiro*

Construction and Building Materials, 67(Part B), p.192 - 196, 2014/09

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.06.001

The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant accident has resulted in a large amount of radioactively contaminated concrete. The possible application of the pulsed power discharge to reduce the amount of contaminated concrete as radioactive waste was investigated. The contaminated concrete was decontaminated by separating contaminated matrix from uncontaminated coarse aggregate under pulsed power discharge process. In this study, a stable Cs isotope was used to simulate radioactively contaminated concrete. As a result, while the volume of reclaimed aggregate from contaminated concrete could be reproduced was up to 60%, nevertheless Cs detected in the reclaimed aggregate was only approximately 3%. Thus most of the Cs were dissolved in water during the discharge process. It is expected that the pulsed power could reduce the contaminated concrete waste by reusing aggregate. Further investigations are requested to test the applicability of this method under the realistic conditions close to the actual waste.