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Utilization of alkaline Aluminosilicate activation in heavy metals immobilization and producing dense hybrid composites

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Abstract

Recently geopolymer technology possesses not only great efficiency in immobilizing heavy metal wastes but also produces valuable materials that can be applied in building sectors. The aim of this study is to examine the capability of geopolymers in the immobilization and entrapping of heavy metals bearing materials. The study will focus on the evaluation of optimum ratio of heavy metal that can affect and densify the produced composite. The studied mortar’s binder was made from blast furnace slag, while the used fine aggregates were air-cooled slag < 1 mm. However, the used activator was 8% sodium hydroxide. The studied heavy metals’ bearing materials were barium sulfate, lead phosphate, lead slag and electric arc furnace dust used as partial replacement of blast furnace slag. The physico-mechanical characterization of each set of samples was conducted using XRD, FTIR, SEM, compressive strength and bulk density. Results demonstrated that barium sulfate can be efficiently used up to 2%, lead phosphate up to 1%, lead slag up to 5% and electric arc furnace dust up to 10%.

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  1. Housing and Building National Research Centre (HBNRC), 87 El-Tahrir St., Dokki, Giza, Cairo, P.O. Box 1770, Egypt

    H. M. Khater & Mahmoud Ghareib

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Khater, H.M., Ghareib, M. Utilization of alkaline Aluminosilicate activation in heavy metals immobilization and producing dense hybrid composites. Arab J Sci Eng 46, 6333–6348 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-05065-6

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