Taming chaos: alkali-catalyzed nano-SiO2 for frictional stability and microstructural reinforcement in slag-based geopolymers

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2026

Abstract

The mechanical properties of materials, both at microscopic and macroscopic levels, are strongly influenced by dynamic interactions within their internal structures. This study investigates the effects of nano-SiO2 on the mechanical performance, microstructure, and frictional dynamics of FA/GGBFS-based geopolymers under different catalytic conditions and dosages. Using techniques such as XRD, SEM, and AFM, combined with multi-scale analysis, the research reveals the roles of nano-SiO2 concentration and catalytic environment in regulating the properties of FA/GGBFS geopolymers. The findings indicate that optimizing these parameters significantly improves geopolymer performance. Alkali-catalyzed nano-SiO2 (AlkS) demonstrates clear advantages over acid-catalyzed systems (AcS). The GP-AlkS16 sample stands out, showing a 69.8 % increase in compressive strength at 28 days, better surface uniformity (μ = 0.43), and greater frictional dynamic stability (R = 0.3). Furthermore, Lyapunov exponent analysis highlights a transition in the alkali-catalyzed system from chaotic to stable dynamics (λ = −0.0165), effectively reducing stick–slip phenomena. In contrast, acid-catalyzed SiO2 and higher dosages of alkali-catalyzed SiO2 offer moderate improvements, but particle agglomeration limits their effectiveness.

Publication Title

Applied Surface Science

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