Explore the synergic and coupling relationships of multiple industrial solid wastes in the preparation of alkali-activated materials under different curing regimes

Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) have become one of the most viable options in solving the issue of industrial solid wastes (ISWs). During the course, a series of blended AAMs using lithium slag as a major ingredient are prepared under different curing regimes to evaluate the setting behavior , compressive strength , microscopic characteristics as well as the synergic and coupling relationships between multi-ISWs in physics and chemistry during the geopolymerization . The results revealed that the multi-ISW design system and curing regime play a vital role in the setting time, compressive strength and geopolymerization process. Blended AAMs preparing with multi-ISW system of 50% lithium slag, 35% fly ash, 5% silica fume and 10% slag presents better compressive strength and desirable setting time. The synergic and coupling relationships among lithium slag, fly ash, silica fume and slag are complicated and variable, which can be inferred from the remarkable changes in reaction degree of precursors, microstructure of gels matrix and macro-performance. Moreover, reasonable synergic and coupling relationships between multi-ISWs may provide some guidance for the manufacture of green and low-carbon lithium slag-based AAMs with better application value. Graphical abstract: Schematic illustrations of AMMs based on lithium slag, fly ash, slag and silica fume.