Effects of high-temperature exposure on properties of lightweight geopolymer foams incorporating diatomite powders

A kind of metakaolin-based geopolymer foams incorporating diatomite powders (GKGP) with open cellular was presented by addition of diatomite powder via hydrogen peroxide method. Impacts of high-temperature exposure on the microstructure, pore structure, and mechanical properties of the GKGP samples were investigated. The GKGP foams achieved a typical amorphous phase structure at room temperature. Open porosity of the samples reached approximately 74%. After high-temperature exposure treatment, the KGP matrix is basically transformed into leucite crystal phase. The compression strength of the leucite foams was also enhanced with increasing temperature to 1200celcius (9.28 MPa). The lightweight foamed GKGP samples with high open porosity might have great potential for membranes and industries, etc.

Automated summary

The study found that metakaolin-based geopolymer foams incorporating diatomite powders exhibit excellent stability and mechanical properties under high-temperature conditions, making them suitable for membrane materials and industrial applications.