1. Alkali-activated mineral residues in construction : case studies on bauxite residue and steel slag pavement tilesLubica Kriskova, Vilma Ducman, Mojca Loncnar, Anže Tesovnik, Gorazd Žibret, Dimitra Skentzou, Christos Georgopoulos, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: This research aimed to investigate the potential of using alkali activation technology to valorize steel slag and bauxite residue for the production of high-performance pavement blocks. By utilizing these industrial by-products, the study seeks to reduce their environmental impact and support the development of sustainable construction materials. Lab-scale testing showed that bauxite pavers showed a decrease in mechanical strength with increasing replacement of ordinary Portland cement. Partial replacement up to 20% still exceeded 30 MPa in compressive strength. Steel slag-based pavers achieved the 30 MPa threshold required for the application with selected mix designs. Pilot-scale production-optimized formulations and standards testing, including freeze–thaw resistance, confirmed the technical viability of these products. Life cycle analysis indicated a 25–27% reduction in CO2 emissions for slag-based tiles compared to traditional concrete tiles. Moreover, using industrial residue reduced mineral resource depletion. This study examined the properties of the resulting alkali-activated binders, their ecological benefits, and their performance compared to conventional materials. Through a comprehensive analysis of these applications, our research promotes the circular economy and the advancement of sustainable construction products.
Ključne besede: alkali-activated materials, building materials, bauxite residue, steel slag, pavers
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 20.01.2025; Ogledov: 42; Prenosov: 16
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2. Rapid immobilisation of chemical reactions in alkali-activated materials using solely microwave irradiationAnže Tesovnik, Barbara Horvat, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Efflorescence, a time-dependent and water-driven phenomenon, is a major concern inalkali-activated materials (AAMs), impacting their practical use and preservation in a time-frozen state for post-characterisation. Although a method for stopping chemical reactions in conventional cements exists, it is time-consuming and not chemical-free. Therefore, this study explored the effects of low-power microwave-induced dehydration on efflorescence, mechanical performance, and structural integrity in AAMs, to create an alternative and more “user-friendly” dehydration method. For this purpose, several mixtures based on secondary raw (slag, fly ash, glass wool, and rock wool) and non-waste (metakaolin) materials were activated with a commercial Na-silicate solution in ratios that promoted or prevented efflorescence. Characterisation techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, showed that microwave dehydration effectively removed water without altering crystallinity, while mercury intrusion porosimetry and compressive strength tests confirmed increased porosity. In addition to being an efficient, time-saving, and solvent-free manner of stopping the reactions in AAMs, microwave irradiation emerged as an innovative, chemical-free method for evaluating curing finalisation and engineering foams in a stage when all other existing methods fail. However, the artificially provoked efflorescence in aged dehydrated AAMs connected the slipperiness of AAM with the instant extraction of Na, which raised the need for further research into alternative alkali replacements to evaluate the practical use of AAM.
Ključne besede: materials chemistry, alkali-activated materials, geopolymers, slag, fly ash, rock wool, glass wool, metakaolin, microwave irradiation, dehydration, stopping chemical reactions, efflorescence
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.12.2024; Ogledov: 182; Prenosov: 82
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3. Stabilization of river dredged sediments by means of alkali activation technologyKarmen Fifer Bizjak, Lea Žibret, Mojca Božič, Boštjan Gregorc, Vilma Ducman, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Purpose
Alkali activation process has been applied to fresh river clay-rich sediments in order to increase their mechanical properties and make them suitable for soil stabilization.
Materials and methods
Dredged sediments were mixed with up to 30 mass percent (ma%) of fly ash (FA) or ladle slag (LS) and after curing for 3 days at 60 °C, the bending and compressive strength have been determined. The mixtures which exhibited the highest strengths were further optimized for being used in soil stabilization. For this purpose, the sediment was stabilized with 4 ma% of quicklime (QL) and after 1 h 30 ma% of FA with alkali activator was added and cured for 1, 7 and 28 days.
Results
The stabilized sediment has a significantely better geomechanical performance in comparison with the sediment alone. Stabilizing the dredged sediment using alkali activation technology provides high enough strengths to eventually make it suitable for anti-flood embankments.
Conclusions
The results confirmed the suitability of the investigated technology for soil stabilization.
Ključne besede: river sediment, alkali activated materials, ladle slag, fly ash, mechanical strength, soil stabilization
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 09.09.2024; Ogledov: 407; Prenosov: 4784
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4. Dehydration with microwave irradiationAnže Tesovnik, Barbara Horvat, 2024, zaključena znanstvena zbirka raziskovalnih podatkov Povzetek: The dataset supports the results shown in the tables and figures in the article entitled “Rapid immobilisation of chemical reactions in alkali-activated materials using solely microwave irradiation” (doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/min14121219). It contains measurements of mechanical and structural evaluation, as well as chemical and mineralogical analysis.
Ključne besede: measurments, alkali-activated materials, geopolymers, slag, fly ash, rock wool, glass wool, metakaolin, microwave irradiation, dehydration, stopping of chemical reactions, efflorescence
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 12.08.2024; Ogledov: 203; Prenosov: 11422
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5. Why geopolymers and alkali-activated materials are key components of a sustainable world : a perspective contributionWaltraud M. Kriven, Cristina Leonelli, John L. Provis, Aldo R. Boccaccini, Cyril Attwell, Vilma Ducman, Claudio Ferone, Sylvie Rossignol, Tero Luukkonen, Jannie S. J. Van Deventer, José V. Emiliano, Jérôme E. Lombardi, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: This perspective article delves into the transformative potential of alkali-activated materials, acid-activated materials, and geopolymers in mitigating climate change and market challenges. To harness the benefits of these materials, a comprehensive strategy is proposed. This strategy aims to integrate these materials into existing construction regulations, facilitate certification, and promote market access. Emphasizing research and innovation, the article advocates for, increased funding to refine the chemistry and production of these materials, prioritizing low-cost alternatives and local waste materials. Collaboration between academia and industry is encouraged to expedite technological advances and broaden applications. This article also underscores the need to develop economic and business models emphasizing the long-term benefits of these materials, including lower life-cycle costs and reduced environmental impact. Incentivizing adoption through financial mechanisms like tax credits and subsidies is suggested. The strategy also includes scaling up production technology, fostering industrial collaboration for commercial viability, and developing global supply chains. Educational programs for professionals and regulators are recommended to enhance awareness and adoption. Additionally, comprehensive life-cycle assessments are proposed to demonstrate environmental benefits. The strategy culminates in expanding the applications of these materials beyond construction, fostering international collaboration for knowledge sharing, and thus positioning these materials as essential for sustainable construction and climate change mitigation.
Ključne besede: geopolymers, alkali activated materials, perspective
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 15.04.2024; Ogledov: 576; Prenosov: 538
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6. Green transition in slovenian building and civil engineering industry : 10 years of research on alkali-activated materials and alkali-activated foamsBarbara Horvat, Branka Mušič, 2024, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci (vabljeno predavanje) Povzetek: The building and civil engineering industry yearly causes more than 40% of man-made CO2 and consumes raw materials for two-thirds of Mont Everest. To decrease the carbon footprint and consumption of raw materials, alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are researched as an alternative to conventional building and civil engineering products like cements, mortar, and ceramics. Ideally, locally available waste materials are used as ingredients: (i) as precursors that react with alkali and form an aluminosilicate network, and (ii) as fillers that get permanently encapsulated and safely stored in AAMs. The addition of gas bubbles and lightweight fillers transforms AAMs into alkali-activated foams and alkali-activated lightweight materials that have the potential to be used as thermal and acoustic insulation materials. Although AAMs are researched worldwide, this review focuses on the state-of-the-art localised solely to Slovenia, particularly on the materials and curing procedures used, as well as on the scientific contribution of the basic research. Besides, the year 2024 marks 10 years of research on alkali activation of raw and waste inorganic materials in Slovenia.
Ključne besede: secondary raw material, alkali-activated material, alkali-activated foams, alkali, circular economy, microwave irradiation, mechanical strength
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 12.03.2024; Ogledov: 607; Prenosov: 481
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7. Influence of ammonium polyphosphates and 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine on the mechanical-physical properties of polyurethane and alkali-activated materialsBranka Mušič, Barbara Horvat, 2024, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: In building constructions, the tendency towards an ever-better material directs us to composite materials. In this work, we prepared an organic-organic and organic-inorganic composite material by incorporating fire retardants, ammonium polyphosphates, and 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine, into a polyurethane network and an aluminosilicate network (ASN) of alkali-activated material. Polyurethane foams (PUR) are well-known materials that, due to their properties, such as low weight-to-strength ratio, low electrical and thermal conductivity, flexibility, and relatively simple preparation process, are used in various industries, also in the construction industry, e.g., for thermal insulation of windows and doors or fixing and sealing joinery. Opposite, the ASN of alkali-activated metakaolin, successfully paves the way for new applications, such as high-temperature protection. In this paper, these interactive properties of prepared composites are studied using thermal testing and mechanical analysis. It was found that inhibitors significantly increase the fire resistance of PUR systems while they slightly reduce the mechanical properties. Incorporating polymer flame retardant into ASN in building products, such as façade panels , can decrease the mechanical properties but can offer the non-flammable building envelope not get heated from burning surroundings, i.e., not becoming a convection heat source, but rather represent a fire-distinguisher for flammable materials.
Ključne besede: flame retardants, polyurethane, alkali activated material, metakaolin, microwave irradiation, mechanical strength
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 12.03.2024; Ogledov: 680; Prenosov: 488
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8. Waste rubber incorporated in the alkali-activated metakaolin’s aluminosilicate network enhanced by microwave irradiationBarbara Horvat, Branka Mušič, 2024, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: Building materials represent the possibility of prolonging the life of waste materials. The key is to ensure that the products are suitable for their function. So we activated metakaolin with the alkaline Na-silicate solution in the ratio that ensures the prevention of efflorescence and high mechanical strength (Horvat and Ducman, 2019). As the waste material (to be incorporated in the aluminosilicate network (ASN) of the alkali-activated metakaolin) ground waste rubber from electric cables was used in the preselected mass ratios. Its inclusion in products, like paving stones, can reduce stiffness, improve durability, dampen vibrations, and reduce road noise. The mechanical strengths of test samples with rubber present on the active surface or slightly below were higher compared to samples where rubber was encapsulated throughout the volume. Compressive strength was higher when samples were irradiated with low powers of microwaves while irradiation with higher powers led to the foaming of alkali-activated slurry. The encapsulation quality of the ground rubber was evaluated by SEM while the chemical influence on ASN was determined by EDS, FTIR, and XRD. Slipperiness change on the active surface of pavement stones proved that the addition of the ground rubber enhanced the walking safety of the product.
Ključne besede: secondary raw material, alkali activated material, waste rubber, metakaolin, encapsulation of organic in inorganic material, microwave irradiation, mechanical strength
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 12.03.2024; Ogledov: 973; Prenosov: 573
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9. Analysis of alkali-activated mineral wool-slag binders : evaluating the differences between one-part and two-part variationsElijah Adesanya, Rawia Dabbebi, Christine Rößler, Majda Pavlin, Zhenming Li, Tero Luukkonen, Juho Yliniemi, Mirja Illikainen, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Two synthesis pathways (one- and two-part) in alkali-activated binders were compared using ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), mineral wool (MW) activated using dry and liquid alkali activators with similar Na2O/SiO2 modulus. The effect of activator type on reaction kinetics, strength development, setting times, and durability shows that one-part synthesis does not only improve early strength, but also provide better durability properties. While the highest compressive strength (56 MPa, 90 days) was achieved for the one-part mix (DM), the reaction products (presence of Mg–Al layered double hydroxide and C–S–H-like phases) observed for both mortar mixes were similar. The DM mortars showed better resistance to sulfate attack than two-part mix (WM) mortars and sets faster. The results highlight the significance of the one-part pathways in the synthesis of alkali-activated materials.
Ključne besede: recycling, alkali activated material, mineral wool
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 11.03.2024; Ogledov: 587; Prenosov: 454
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10. Evaluation of fly ash-based alkali activated foams at room and elevated temperaturesKatja Traven, Mark Češnovar, Srečo D. Škapin, Vilma Ducman, 2020, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: Alkali activated materials (AAM) are, in their broadest classification, any binder systems derived by the reaction of an alkali metal source (silicates, alkali hydroxides, carbonates , sulphates) with a solid, amorphous alumosilicate powder (found in precursors such as slag, fly ash and bottom ash). A wide variety of products can be obtained by the alkali activation process and could replace traditional construction products. Among the se, alkali activated foams (AAF) represent one of the most promising materials, owing to their economically accessible alumosilicate rich source materials, including industrial waste materials, clean processing, higher added value and most importantly, pro ducts with competitive properties. In the present study, the properties of alkali activated fly ash - based foam materials were studied at room temperature as well as at elevated temperatures (up to 1200 °C ) in order to develop a durable material in terms o f mechanical properties and suitability for high temperature applications.
Ključne besede: lightweight porous insulating material, alkali activated materials, microstructural analysis
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 05.03.2024; Ogledov: 706; Prenosov: 496
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