Synthesis and characterization of a new class of geopolymer binder utilizing ferrochrome ash (FCA) for sustainable industrial waste management

Abstract

Sustainable use of industrial wastes for the production of new age eco-friendly construction materials can effectively solve the growing environmental concern over landfills and also provide an integrative industrial waste management strategy. Geopolymers are comparatively a new class of aluminosilicate inorganic polymer which has gained wide recognition due to its remarkable physicochemical and mechanical properties. Various industrial wastes such as fly ash, slag, rice husk ash, ferrochrome ash, etc. rich in alumina and silica can serve as suitable precursors for the production of geopolymer binders. This paper presents the experimental investigations on the utilization of ferrochrome ash (FCA), and waste from the ferrochrome industry as a primary precursor having considerable amounts of alumina, silica, magnesium oxide, potassium oxide for preparation of geopolymer concrete having partial replacements of ground granulated blast furnace slag and lime. The fresh and hardened geopolymer concrete properties: workability and compressive strength are thoroughly investigated. The particle size distribution, the chemical composition, mineralogy, microstructure of binder particles were analysed with advanced analytical techniques such as XRF, PSA, XRD, SEM/EDS. The results of this study not only suggest the effective utilization of ferrochrome ash for the synthesis of a new class of geopolymer binders but also provide a sustainable route for the management of ferrochrome waste currently generated in various countries worldwide. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.