Effect of synthesis parameters on the quality of construction and demolition wastes (CDW) geopolymersEffect of synthesis parameters on the quality of construction and demolition wastes (CDW) geopolymers Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-11-022015enIn the present study, the geopolymerization potential of construction and demolition wastes (CDW) as well as the effects of the molarity of the alkaline activating solution, the curing temperature, the ageing period and the particle size of the raw materials on the compressive strength of the final products have been studied. For the synthesis of geopolymers, concrete, bricks and tiles collected from various demolished buildings were mixed with the activating solution (NaOH and Na2SiO3). Various synthesis conditions (curing at 60–90 °C, 8–14 M NaOH molarity, particle size) have been considered. Results have shown that tiles and bricks are well geopolymerized, reaching a compressive strength of 49.5 and 57.8 MPa, respectively, while concrete shows limited geopolymerization potential since it reaches a compressive strength of only 13 MPa. The effects on the compressive strength of the specimens were also assessed by considering various molar ratios of the oxides present in the initial paste including SiO2/Al2O3 and H2O/(Na2O + K2O). CDW geopolymers synthesized under the optimum conditions were also subjected to high temperature heating for one hour, freeze–thaw cycles and immersed in distilled water for one and two months to assess changes in their structural integrity. Analytical techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used for the identification of the morphology and structure of the final products.Δημοσίευση σε επιστημονικό περιοδικό http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Advanced Powder Technology226368–376 Komnitsas Konstantinos Κομνιτσας Κωνσταντινος Zaharaki Dimitra Vlachou Antigoni Bartzas Georgios Galetakis Michalis Elsevier Geopolymer Compressive strength Construction and demolition wastes Molarity