Combining density functional theory (DFT) and pair distribution function (PDF) analysis to solve the structure of metastable materials: the case of metakaolin.

Understanding the atomic structure of complex metastable (including glassy) materials is of great importance in research and industry, however, such materials resist solution by most standard techniques. Here, a novel technique combining thermodynamics and local structure is presented to solve the structure of the metastable aluminosilicate material metakaolin (calcined kaolinite) without the use of chemical constraints. The structure is elucidated by iterating between least-squares real-space refinement using neutron pair distribution function data, and geometry optimisation using density functional modelling. The resulting structural representation is both energetically feasible and in excellent agreement with experimental data. This accurate structural representation of metakaolin provides new insight into the local environment of the aluminium atoms, with evidence of the existence of tri-coordinated aluminium. By the availability of this detailed chemically feasible atomic description, without the need to artificially impose constraints during the refinement process, there exists the opportunity to tailor chemical and mechanical processes involving metakaolin and other complex metastable materials at the atomic level to obtain optimal performance at the macro-scale.

Density functional modeling of the local structure of kaolinite subjected to thermal dehydroxylation.

Understanding the atomic-level changes that occur as kaolinite is converted (thermally dehydroxylated) to metakaolin is critical to the optimization of this large-scale industrial process. Metakaolin is X-ray amorphous; therefore, conventional crystallographic techniques do not reveal the changes in local structure during its formation. Local structure-based experimental techniques are useful in understanding the atomic structure but do not provide the thermodynamic information which is necessary to ensure plausibility of refined structures. Here, kaolinite dehydroxylation is modeled using density functional theory, and a stepwise methodology, where several water molecules are removed from the structure, geometry optimization is carried out, and then the process is repeated. Hence, the structure remains in an energetically and thermodynamically feasible state while transitioning from kaolinite to metakaolin. The structures generated during the dehydroxylation process are validated by comparison with X-ray and neutron pair distribution function data. Thus, this study illustrates one possible route by which dehydroxylation of kaolinite can take place, revealing a chemically, energetically, and experimentally plausible structure of metakaolin. This methodology of density functional modeling of the stepwise changes in a material is not limited in application to kaolinite or other aluminosilicates and provides an accurate representation of the local structural changes occurring in materials used in industrially important processes.

What is the structure of kaolinite? Reconciling theory and experiment.

Density functional modeling of the crystalline layered aluminosilicate mineral kaolinite is conducted, first to reconcile discrepancies in the literature regarding the exact geometry of the inner and inner surface hydroxyl groups, and second to investigate the performance of selected exchange-correlation functionals in providing accurate structural information. A detailed evaluation of published experimental and computational structures is given, highlighting disagreements in space groups, hydroxyl bond lengths, and bond angles. A major aim of this paper is to resolve these discrepancies through computations. Computed structures are compared via total energy calculations and validated against experimental structures by comparing computed neutron diffractograms, and a final assessment is performed using vibrational spectra from inelastic neutron scattering. The density functional modeling is carried out at a sufficiently high level of theory to provide accurate structure predictions while keeping computational requirements low enough to enable the use of the structures in large-scale calculations. It is found that the best functional to use for efficient density functional modeling of kaolinite using the DMol3 software package is the BLYP functional. The computed structure for kaolinite at 0 K has C1 symmetry, with the inner hydroxyl group angled slightly above the a,b plane and the inner surface hydroxyls aligned close to perpendicular to that plane.

Geopolymers for immobilization of Cr(6+), Cd(2+), and Pb(2+).

Alkali activation of fly ash by sodium silicate solutions, forming geopolymeric binders, provides a potential means of treating wastes containing heavy metals. Here, the effects on geopolymer structure of contamination of geopolymers by Cr(VI), Cd(II) and Pb(II) in the forms of various nitrate and chromate salts are investigated. The addition of soluble salts results in a high extent of dispersal of contaminant ions throughout the geopolymer matrix, however very little change in geopolymer structure is observed when these materials are compared to their uncontaminated counterparts. Successful immobilization of these species will rely on chemical binding either into the geopolymer gel or into other low-solubility (silicate or aluminosilicate) phases. In the case of Pb, the results of this work tentatively support a previous identification of Pb(3)SiO(5) as a potential candidate phase for hosting Pb(II) within the geopolymer structure, although the data are not entirely conclusive. The addition of relatively low levels of heavy metal salts is seen to have little effect on the compressive strength of the geopolymeric material, and in some cases actually gives an increase in strength. Sparingly soluble salts may undergo some chemical conversion due to the highly alkaline conditions prevalent during geopolymerization, and in general are trapped in the geopolymer matrix by a simple physical encapsulation mechanism. Lead is in general very effectively immobilized in geopolymers, as is cadmium in all except the most acidic leaching environments. Hexavalent chromium is problematic, whether added as a highly soluble salt or in sparingly soluble form.

Phase evolution of Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O gels in synthetic aluminosilicate binders.

This study demonstrates the production of stoichiometrically controlled alkali-aluminosilicate gels ('geopolymers') via alkali-activation of high-purity synthetic amorphous aluminosilicate powders. This method provides for the first time a process by which the chemistry of aluminosilicate-based cementitious materials may be accurately simulated by pure synthetic systems, allowing elucidation of physicochemical phenomena controlling alkali-aluminosilicate gel formation which has until now been impeded by the inability to isolate and control key variables. Phase evolution and nanostructural development of these materials are examined using advanced characterisation techniques, including solid state MAS NMR spectroscopy probing (29)Si, (27)Al and (23)Na nuclei. Gel stoichiometry and the reaction kinetics which control phase evolution are shown to be strongly dependent on the chemical composition of the reaction mix, while the main reaction product is a Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O type gel comprised of aluminium and silicon tetrahedra linked via oxygen bridges, with sodium taking on a charge balancing function. The alkali-aluminosilicate gels produced in this study constitute a chemically simplified model system which provides a novel research tool for the study of phase evolution and microstructural development in these systems. Novel insight of physicochemical phenomena governing geopolymer gel formation suggests that intricate control over time-dependent geopolymer physical properties can be attained through a careful precursor mix design. Chemical composition of the main N-A-S-H type gel reaction product as well as the reaction kinetics governing its formation are closely related to the Si/Al ratio of the precursor, with increased Al content leading to an increased rate of reaction and a decreased Si/Al ratio in the N-A-S-H type gel. This has significant implications for geopolymer mix design for industrial applications.

Reduction of gold(III) chloride to gold(0) on silicate surfaces.

The mechanism of adsorption and reduction of the gold chloride complex on silicate minerals is investigated. Gold chloride, supplied as HAuCl(4) solution, is rapidly adsorbed on the silicate surfaces, the Au(III) is reduced to metallic gold, and gold particles grow on the surface. SEM images show agglomerates of gold unevenly distributed on the surface of the silicates, including in some areas forming agglomerates, especially on quartz and feldspar. Silica gel forms via dissolution of silicates in acidic conditions and also has strong adsorption/reduction potential for gold. A mechanism for the adsorption and reduction is proposed, involving ligand substitution between gold chloride and OH() groups on defect sites in silicate surfaces. Consequently, gold can be reduced by hydrogen or silicon radicals at the defect sites. Adsorption of Au(III) by silicate minerals, followed by reduction, could play an important role in the deposition of gold in natural systems, as well as causing loss of gold from leaching processes during hydrometallurgical gold recovery.

Time-resolved and spatially-resolved infrared spectroscopic observation of seeded nucleation controlling geopolymer gel formation.

The effect of seeded nucleation on the formation and structural evolution of one-part ("just add water") geopolymer gels is investigated. Gel-forming systems are seeded with each of three different oxide nanoparticles, and seeding is shown to have an important role in controlling the silica release rate from the solid geothermal silica precursor, and in the development of physical properties of the gels. Nucleation accelerates the chemical changes taking place during geopolymer formation. The nature of the seeds affects the structure of the growing gel by affecting the extent of phase separation, identified by the presence of a distinct silica-rich gel in addition to the main, more alumina-rich gel phase. Synchrotron radiation-based infrared microscopy (SR-FTIR) shows the effect of nucleation on the heterogeneous nanostructure and microstructure of geopolymer gels, and is combined with data obtained by time-resolved FTIR analysis to provide a more holistic view of the reaction processes at a level of detail that has not previously been available. While spatially averaged (ATR-FTIR) infrared results show similar spectra for seeded and unseeded samples which have been cured for more than 3 weeks, SR-FTIR results show marked differences in gel structure as a result of seeding.

Density functional modelling of silicate and aluminosilicate dimerisation solution chemistry.

Common throughout sol-gel chemistry, including zeolite synthesis, aluminosilicate glass formation and geopolymerisation, is the process of inorganic oxide polymerisation and deprotonation. In this investigation, some of the fundamental reactions occurring during zeolite synthesis and geopolymerisation at high pH are investigated using density functional theory (DFT), and are compared with: (i) existing values reported in the literature, and (ii) new and previously published DFT-derived data for similar silicate reactions at near-neutral pH. From the results it is seen that the energetics of deprotonation and dimerisation reactions depend greatly on the pH value, and these results correlate well with existing experimental values and trends. Hence, this investigation exemplifies that an accurate replication of the solution environment is crucial for obtaining useful theoretical results for species dissolved in non-ideal environments.

High-resolution nanoprobe X-ray fluorescence characterization of heterogeneous calcium and heavy metal distributions in alkali-activated fly ash.

The nanoscale distribution of elements within fly ash and the aluminosilicate gel products of its alkaline activation ("fly ash geopolymers") are analyzed by means of synchrotron X-ray fluorescence using a hard X-ray Nanoprobe instrument. The distribution of calcium within a hydroxide-activated (fly ash/KOH solution) geopolymer gel is seen to be highly heterogeneous, with these data providing for the first time direct evidence of the formation of discrete high-calcium particles within the binder structure of a geopolymer synthesized from a low-calcium (<2 wt % as oxides) fly ash. The silicate-activated (fly ash/potassium silicate solution) sample, by contrast, shows a much more homogeneous geopolymer gel binder structure surrounding the unreacted fly ash particles. This has important implications for the understanding of calcium chemistry within aluminosilicate geopolymer gel phases. Additionally, chromium and iron are seen to be very closely correlated within the structures of both fly ash and the geopolymer product and remain within the regions of the geopolymer which can be identified as unreacted fly ash particles. Given that the potential for chromium release has been one of the queries surrounding the widespread utilization of construction materials derived from fly ash, the observation that this element appears to be localized within the fly ash rather than dispersed throughout the gel binder indicates that it is unlikely to be released problematically into the environment.

In situ ATR-FTIR study of the early stages of fly ash geopolymer gel formation.

The kinetics of geopolymer formation are monitored using a novel in situ attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopic technique. Reaction rates are determined from the intensity variation of the bands related to the geopolymer gel network and the unreacted fly ash particles. Comparison with deuterated geopolymer samples provides critical information regarding peak assignments. An initial induction (lag) period is observed to occur for hydroxide-activated geopolymers, followed by gel evolution according to an approximately linear reaction profile. The length of the lag period is reduced by increasing the concentration of NaOH. An increase in the rate of network formation also occurs with increasing NaOH concentration up to a maximum point, beyond which an increased NaOH concentration leads to a reduced rate of network formation. This trend is attributed to the competing effects of increased alkalinity and stronger ion pairing with an increase in NaOH concentration. In situ analysis also shows that the rate of fly ash dissolution is similar for all moderate- to high-alkali geopolymer slurries, which is attributed to the very highly water-deficient nature of these systems and is contrary to predictions from classical glass dissolution chemistry. This provides for the first time detailed kinetic information describing fly ash geopolymer formation kinetics.

Attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared analysis of fly ash geopolymer gel aging.

Structural changes in fly ash geopolymers activated with different sodium hydroxide and silicate concentrations are investigated using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy over a period of 200 days. A strong correlation is found between the concentration of silicate monomer in the activating solution and the position of the main Si-O-T stretching band in the FTIR spectrum, which gives an indication of the relative changes in the gel Si/Al ratio. The FTIR spectra of geopolymer samples with activating solution concentrations of up to 1.2 M SiO2 indicate that an Al-rich gel forms before the final gel composition is reached. The time required for the system to reach a steady gel composition depends on the silicate activating solution concentration and speciation. Geopolymers activated with solutions containing predominantly high-order silicate species rapidly reach a steady gel composition without first forming an Al-rich gel. A minimum silicate monomer concentration of approximately 0.6 M is required to shift the geopolymer synthesis mechanism from hydroxide activation to silicate activation. Silicate speciation in the activating solutions also affects zeolite formation and geopolymer microstructures, with a more homogeneous microstructure and less zeolite formation observed at a higher SiO2 content.

Evolution of gel structure during thermal processing of Na-geopolymer gels.

The present work examines how the gel structure and phase composition of Na-geopolymers derived from metakaolin with varied Si/Al ratio evolve with exposure to temperatures up to 1000 degrees C. Gels were thermally treated and characterized using quantitative XRD, DTA, and FTIR to elucidate the changes in gel structure, phase composition, and porosity at each stage of heating. It is found that the phase stability, defined by the amount and onset temperature of crystallization, is improved at higher Si/Al ratios. Two different mechanisms of densification have been isolated by FTIR, related to viscous flow and collapse of the highly distributed pore network in the gel. Gels with low Si/Al ratio only experience viscous flow that correlates with low thermal shrinkage. Gels at a higher Si/Al ratio, which have a homogeneous microstructure composed of a highly distributed porosity, undergo both densification processes corresponding to a large extent of thermal shrinkage during densification. This work elucidates the intimate relationship between gel microstructure, chemistry, and thermal evolution of Na-geopolymer gels.

29Si NMR study of structural ordering in aluminosilicate geopolymer gels.

A systematic series of aluminosilicate geopolymer gels was synthesized and then analyzed using 29Si magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) in combination with Gaussian peak deconvolution to characterize the short-range ordering in terms of T-O-T bonds (where T is Al or Si). The effect of nominal Na2O/(Na2O + K2O) and Si/Al ratios on short-range network ordering was quantified by deconvolution of the 29Si MAS NMR spectra into individual Gaussian peaks representing different Q4(mAl) silicon centers. The deconvolution procedure developed in this work is applicable to other aluminosilicate gel systems. The short-range ordering observed here indicates that Loewenstein's Rule of perfect aluminum avoidance may not apply strictly to geopolymeric gels, although further analyses are required to quantify the degree of aluminum avoidance. Potassium geopolymers appeared to exhibit a more random Si/Al distribution compared to that of mixed-alkali and sodium systems. This work provides a quantitative account of the silicon and aluminum ordering in geopolymers, which is essential for extending our understanding of the mechanical strength, chemical and thermal stability, and fundamental structure of these systems.