Effect of PDMS content on waterproofing and mechanical properties of geopolymer composites

The present study mainly studies the effect of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) content on the waterproofing and mechanical properties of geopolymer composites. Firstly, hydrophobic modified geopolymer composites (HM-GC) were prepared by adding PDMS during the mixing process. Secondly, the surface wettability characteristics, water absorption, uniaxial compressive and tensile properties of HM-GC were investigated. The effect of PDMS content on the waterproofing and mechanical properties was further discussed. Finally, considering the waterproofing and mechanical properties, the optimal PDMS content was proposed. The results showed that with increasing PDMS content, the contact angle of geopolymer composites rapidly increase at first and then stabilizes. The geopolymer composites with 4% and 5% PDMS content exhibit overhydrophobic surface wettability. In addition, the water absorption gradually decreases with increasing PDMS content, indicating an improvement in the waterproofing ability. The incorporation of PDMS can enhance the compressive properties of geopolymer composites while reducing the tensile properties. Comprehensively considering the waterproofing and mechanical properties, it is reasonable to select 4% as the optimal PDMS content used in practical marine engineering. • Hydrophobic modified geopolymer composites were prepared by adding a modifier. • The variations in the waterproofing and mechanical properties were discussed. • An overhydrophobic surface wettability was achieved in geopolymer composites. • The compressive property was enhanced while the tensile property was decreased.