Reaction kinetics and thermodynamic modeling of alkali-activated calcined marine clay with mechanical activation

Abstract

A clinker-free, one-part alkali-activated materials (AAM) using calcined marine clay (CMC) and Ca(OH)2 (CH) was developed in this study. The influence of mechanical activation on the mechanical properties, morphology, and the microstructure of one-part AAM was explored. Chemical dissolution test elucidates the relationship between reacted SiO2/Al2O3 content, CH content, and pH values throughout the reaction process. Leveraging these experimental and statistical analysis results, a novel quantitative study on the kinetics of alkali activation process and the impact of milling on one-part AAM was conducted through thermodynamic modeling. CH dissolution-controlled reaction kinetics was revealed through experimental and modeling equilibrium comparisons. It demonstrates that the co-milling of CMC and CH can facilitate the alkali activation by synergistically improving the reacted CaO, SiO2, and Al2O3 content via accelerated dissolution of CH and CMC. This research advances understanding for one-part AAM design by optimization of precursor/activator content and mechanical activation time via experimental and modeling approaches