Geopolymerisation of Mechanically Activated Lignite and Brown Coal Fly Ash

Geopolymers have been synthesized from mechanically activated lignite and brown coal fly ash. Mechanical activation of fly ash has been carried out using laboratory ball mill. To determine the structural changes in both, the fly ash and the resulted geopolymer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements were performed. Isothermal conduction calorimetry method was applied to study the geopolymerisation reactions in mechanically non-activated (raw) and activated fly ash samples. The isothermal conduction calorimetry results showed similar peak intensity for mechanically activated (5-30 min) fly ash samples. However, the intensity of peak for 120 min milled brown coal fly ash was the highest. The compressive strength of the specimen was found to be dependent on the grinding residence time as well as composition/type of fly ash.