GCRIS

Purpose: The aim of this work was to prepare and characterise geopolymer composites containing lightweight aggregates-perlite and vermiculite. Design/methodology/approach: The geopolymer matrix was prepared on the basis of fly ash, sand and a 6M sodium hydroxide solution with sodium silicate. The properties of the materials were tested 28 days after the preparation of the samples. The following research methods were used to characterise the composites: compressive and flexural strength tests, microstructural tests using a scanning electron microscope, and thermal conductivity were measured. Findings: The results obtained showed a slight effect of the additives on the strength properties. Lightweight aggregates are characterised by good coherence with the matrix material. Their addition allowed to reduce the density and lowered the thermal conductivity of the materials. The results obtained indicate that the proposed additives can improve the properties of the geopolymer composite for use in the construction industry. Research limitations/implications: Further research should focus on geopolymer composites with perlite and involve fire-resistant and water-absorption tests. Practical implications: The production of lightweight building materials brings a number of benefits, such as reducing the density of building elements and, at the same time, the entire structure, which results in a reduction in their weight, as well as lower transport costs. Such elements have better thermal and acoustic insulation, reflected in the parameters of buildings. An additional advantage is the reduced environmental impact through better insulation properties, lower fuel consumption during transport, etc. Originality/value: The density of the material can be reduced by using lightweight aggregates or obtaining porous material in the foamed process. In the case of geopolymer composites, a number of studies related to foamed materials have been provided, but there is only a few previous research connected with lightweight aggregates such as perlite and vermiculite. © by International OCSCO World Press. All rights reserved. 2023.

In the present study, potential application of the local clinoptilolite-rich natural zeolite in formulation of antibacterial hydrogels was investigated. The zeolite powder exchanged with cobalt(II) ions was used in preparation of the zeolite/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel films in different amounts. The films were physically crosslinked by the freezing-thawing method and characterized for their crystallinity, surface and cross sectional morphology, chemical composition, thermal behaviour, mechanical properties, swelling and dissolution behaviours, and antibacterial activities against a Gram-negative bacteria. The films with 0.48 wt% and higher cobalt-exchanged zeolite contents showed antibacterial activity. Addition of the zeolite powder in the formulations did not cause significant changes in the other properties of the films.

Scopus İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu / Scopus Indexed Publications Collection

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