Microstructural Analysis of Thermally Treated Geopolymer Incorporated with Neodymium.

The following investigation presents the thermal treatment of geopolymer at 300 °C, 600 °C and 900 °C. We investigated what happens to the geopolymer base when incorporated with 1% and 5% of neodymium in the form NdO. A total of six samples were synthesized. Geopolymer 1 contained 1% and geopolymer 2 contained 5% NdO, and these samples were treated at 300 °C; then, samples geopolymer 3 and geopolymer 4 also had the same percentage composition of NdO and were treated at 600 °C, while samples geopolymer 5 and geopolymer 6were treated at 900 °C. Physical and chemical changes in the aluminosilicate geopolymer matrix were monitored. The incorporation of rare earths into the polymer network of aluminosilicates has been proven to disrupt the basic structure of geopolymers; however, with increased temperatures, these materials show even more unusual properties. (DRIFT) analysis showed that the intensity of the vibrational band decreases with the increase in temperature during thermal treatment, suggesting alterations in the chemical structure of the geopolymers. (TEM) analysis showed that the diameter of the nanoparticles containing AlO is in the range 5-10 nm, while larger crystallites range from 30 to 80 nm. (SEM) analysis revealed that the temperature of the thermal treatment increases to 300 °C and 600 °C; the porosity of geopolymer increases in the form of the appearance of large pores and cracks in material. (XPS) analysis was used to investigate the surface chemistry of geopolymers, including the chemical composition of the surface, the oxidation state of the elements, and the presence of functional groups. The UV/Vis spectra of the synthesized geopolymers doped with Nd show interesting optical properties at 900 °C; the geopolymer matrix completely disintegrates and an amorphous phase with a rare-earth precipitate appears.