Subaer, Abdul Haris, Arie Van Riessen
Geopolymers are relatively novel materials with a wide range of potential application. The purpose of the present study was to experimentally investigate the composition-microstructure-property relationship of these materials. Na-PSS geopolymers were prepared by thermally assisted alkali-activation of metakaolinite. Microstructural characterization by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed that the morphology of geopolymers consists of aluminosilicate matrix, unreacted metakaoline, micro pores and secondary micro cracks. Computed Tomography Imaging (CT-Scan) was used to further examine the development of micro cracks on the surface of geopolymers with and without the inclusion of aggregate. It was also observed that the interfacial zone between geopolymer paste and aggregate has the same chemical composition as the rest of the matrix. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.
Jurusan Fisika, Fakultas Matematika Dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar 90224, Jalan Daeng Tata Raya, Indonesia; Material Research Group, Department of Applied Physics, Curtin University of Technology, Perth 6845, WA, PO BOX U 1978, United States
