Synthesis of a paste backfill geopolymer using pure acidic gold mine tailings

Thabo Falayi, Freeman Ntuli, Felix Okonta

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Gold mine tailings (GMT) were characterised and alkaline activated into geopolymers so as to reduce their pollution potential. The GMT was activated because they are aluminosilicate materials and as such they have the potential to be geopolymerised under alkaline conditions. The main parameters tested were the effect of type of alkali (NaOH and KOH), concentration of alkali, liquid to solid ratio, curing time and temperature. The optimum synthesis conditions were 10 M KOH, liquid solid ratio of 0.26, curing temperature and time of 90°C and 5 days respectively. The reduction in the intensity of XRD peaks coupled with the decrease in FTIR wavenumbers for the major peak may be used as a sign for geopolymerisation of GMT. This study provides an opportunity for the use of GMT as raw material for the production of paste although there is still need to allow the curing to take place at room temperature to reduce energy consumption associated with the geopolymerisation process.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)311-320
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Solid Waste Technology and Management
Volume44
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Waste Management and Disposal

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Synthesis of a paste backfill geopolymer using pure acidic gold mine tailings'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this