Influence of fly ash fineness on cesium immobilization in geopolymers
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
The influence of fly ash (FA) fineness on cesium (Cs) immobilization in geopolymers was investigated by comparing samples synthesized in this study with those reported previously, as all samples were prepared at 95 °C with Cs contents of 2 and 5 wt.%. The effect of FA particle size distribution on physico-mechanical properties, gel structure development, and Cs leaching behavior was evaluated. Results show that FA fineness significantly affects the kinetics of geopolymerization and the development of mechanical properties. In general, Cs addition prolongs the setting time in G-FA, with longer setting times observed in G-FA based on coarser FA sample. These samples also showed lower compressive strengths, indicating that finer FA particles promote faster dissolution of aluminosilicate species and more rapid formation of the geopolymeric gel. Leaching behavior revealed that Cs release is diffusion-controlled regardless of FA fineness and Cs content, but the mean leachability index (Lmean) was lower in samples based on coarser FA particles, although in all cases it was higher than 9, which indicates effective Cs immobilization and satisfactory long-term stability of the material. Overall, FA fineness influences geopolymer reactivity, gel structure, and thus mechanical performance and effectiveness of Cs immobilization.
Downloads
Metrics
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license 4.0 that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Funding data
-
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Grant numbers G5402 -
Ministarstvo Prosvete, Nauke i Tehnološkog Razvoja
Grant numbers 451-03-33/2026-03/200053 -
Ministarstvo Prosvete, Nauke i Tehnološkog Razvoja
Grant numbers 451-03-34/2026-03/200135 -
Ministarstvo Prosvete, Nauke i Tehnološkog Razvoja
Grant numbers 451-03-33/2026-03/200287
References
J. Davidovits, Geopolymer chemistry and applications, 5th ed., Geopolymer Institute, Saint-Quentin, France, 2020, p. 311 (ISBN: 9782954453118)
P. Duxon, A. Fernández-Jiménez, J. L. Provis, G. C. Lukey, A. Palomo, J. S. J. van Deventer, J. Mater. Sci. 42 (2007) 2917 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-006-0637-z)
J. L. Provis, J. S. J. van Deventer, Geopolymers: Structure, Processing, Properties and Industrial Applications, Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2009, p. 89 (https://doi.org/10.1533/9781845696382)
J. L. Provis, J. S. J. van Deventer, Alkali-Activated Materials: State-of-the-Art Report, RILEM TC 224-AAM. Springer/RILEM, Dordrecht, 2014, p. 98 (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7672-2)
C. Shi, A. Fernández-Jiménez, J. Hazard. Mater. B137 (2006) 1656 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.05.008)
R. O. Abdel Rahman, R. Z. Rakhimov, N. R. Rakhimova, M. I. Ojvan, Cementitious Materials for Nuclear Waste Immobilization, John Wiley & Sons Ltd., Chichester, United Kingdom, 2015, p. 8 (https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118511992)
Y. Zhu, Z. Zheng, Y. Deng, C. Shi, Z. Zhang, Cem. Concr. Compos. 126 (2022) 104377 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.104377)
J. Liu, Y. Xu, J. Wang, W. Zhang, J. Ye, R. Wang, J. Aust. Ceram. Soc. 60 (2024) 1131 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s41779-024-01018-6)
S. Jain, O. Onuaguluchi, N. Banthia, T. Troczynski, J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 108 (2024) e20131 (https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.20131)
E. Mukiza, Q. T. Phung, S. C. Seetharam, T. N. Nguyen, C. Bruggeman, G. De Schutter, J. Environ. Manag. 370 (2024) 122746 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122746)
M. Houhou, N. Leklou, H. Ranaivomanana, J. D. Penot, S. de Barros, Discov. Appl. Sci. 7 (2025) 126 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-06536-x)
M. Komljenović, G. Tanasijević, N. Džunuzović, J. L. Provis, J. Hazard. Mater. 388 (2020) 121765 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121765)
S. Jain, N. Banthia, T. Troczznski, Cem. Concr. Compos. 133 (2022) 104679 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104679)
M. I. Ojovan, W. Lee, S. Kalmykov, Short-lived waste radionuclides, in: An introduction to nuclear waste immobilization, Elsevier, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2019, p. 8 (https://doi.org/10.1016/C2017-0-03752-7)
A. Fernández-Jiménez, D. E. Macphee, E. E. Lachowski, A. Palomo, J. Nucl. Mater. 346 (2005) 185 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2005.06.006)
Q. Li, SZ. Sun, D. Tao, Y. Xu, P. Li, H. Cui, J. Zhai, Ј. Hazard. Mater. 262 (2013) 325 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.08.049)
J. G. Jang, S. M. Park, H. K. Lee, Ј. Hazard. Mater. 318 (2016) 339 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.07.003)
S. Jain, N. Banthia, T. Troczynski, J. Clean. Prod. 380 (2022) 134984 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134984)
S. Jain, N. Banthia, T. Troczynski, Cem. Concr. Compos. 133 (2022) 104679 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104679)
M. Komljenovic, Z. Bascarevic, V. Bradic, J. Hazard. Mater. 181 (2010) 35 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.04.064)
V. Nikolić, M. Komljenović, Z. Baščarević, N. Marjanović, Z. Miladinović, R. Petrović, Constr. Build. Mater. 94 (2015) 361 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.07.014)
G. G. Stanojević, M. M. Komljenović, N. M. Džunuzović, S. S. Lazarević, J. L. Provis, R. D. Petrović, Constr. Build. Mater. 500 (2025) 144217 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.144217)
ASTM C618-25a: Standard Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete (2025)
EN 196-1:2008: Methods of testing cement - part 1: determination of strength (2008)
EN 196-3:2010: Methods of testing cement Part 3: Determination of setting times and soundness (2010)
ANSI/ANS-16.1-2003 (R2017): Measurement of the leachability of solidified low-level radioactive wastes by a short-term test procedure (2003)
EN 197–1:2011: Cement - Part 1: Composition, specifications and conformity
criteria for common cements (2011)
R. Gao, Z. Zhou, J. Yang, J. Zhang, Open Ceram. 20 (2024) 100680 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceram.2024.100680)
NRC, Wasteform Technical Position, Revision 1, 1991.
P. Rozek, M. Król, W. Mozgawa, Spectrochim. Acta A 198 (2018) 283 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2018.03.034)
W. K. W. Lee, J. S. J. van Deventer, Langmuir 19 (2003) 8726 (https://doi.org/10.1021/la026127e)
G. Kovalchuk, A. Fernández-Jiménez, A. Palomo, Fuel 86 (2007) 315 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2006.07.010)
C. A. Rees, J. L. Provis, G. C. Lukey, J. S. J. van Deventer, Langmuir 23 (2007) 8170 (https://doi.org/10.1021/la700713g)
A. Hajimohammadi, J. L. Provis, J. S. J. van Deventer, Chem. Mater. 22 (2010) 5199 (https://doi.org/10.1021/cm101151n)
S. L. A. Valcke, P. Pipilikaki, H. R. Fischer, M. H. W. Verkuijlen, E. R. H. van Eck, Mater. Struct. 48 (2014) 557 (https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-014-0432-2)
M. Criado, A. Fernández-Jiménez, A. Palomo, Micropor. Mesopor. Mater. 106 (2007) 180 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2007.02.055)
M. Rowles, B. O’Connor, J. Mater. Chem 13 (2003) 1161 (https://doi.org/10.1039/b212629j)
G.J. de Groot, H. A. van der Sloot, Determination of Leaching Characteristics of Waste Materials Leading to Environmental Product Certification, in ASTM Selected Technical Papers STP1123, Stabilization and Solidification of Hazardous, Radioactive, and Mixed Wastes: 2nd Volume, T.C. Gilliam, C.C. Wiles, Eds., ASTM, West Conshohocken, United States, 1992, p. 149 (https://doi.org/10.1520/stp19548s)
H.A. van der Sloot, J.J. Dijkstra, Development of Horizontally Standardized Leaching Tests for Construction Materials: a Material Based or Release Based Approach?, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands, 2004 (https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.11986.76486).