Solidification of Industrial Effluents into Geopolymer Matrix

In this work, geopolymers were produced by reacting metakaolin with industrial effluent from different sources. Instead of directly treating the raw effluent, it would be useful to utilize the effluent and turn it into a value-added substance such as geopolymer, thus will sustain the environment. The right compositions of the materials were determined before mixing to form a cubic shape of geopolymer composite. Each composite will undergo several tests to investigate its properties and characteristics. Such tests include density, Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and compressive strength. All samples labeled G1, G2, G3, and G4 which comprises of mixture of metakaolin with KOH solution, OGT effluent, batik effluent, and paper & pulp effluent respectively. They were cured in an oven at temperature of 60oC for 24 hours, and later cooled down for three days at room temperature. Sample G1 showed the best characteristics of density and compressive strength compared to other samples. Similar with TGA, significant weight loss was observed in sample G1, but the other three samples experienced gain in weight after initial exposure to elevated temperature before the weight loss occurred. The reason was due to chemical reactions occurred during the heating process. As for SEM, the microstructural images of all samples were not much different.