Atom probe tomography of an alkali activated fly ash concrete. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tuinukuafe, Atolo; Kaub, Tyler; Weiss, Charles A.; Allison, Paul G.; Thompson, Gregory B.; Amirkhanian, Armen
• Is Part Of: Cement and concrete research. Volume 121(2019)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 41
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Alkali activation -- Atom probe tomography -- Microscopy -- Fly ash -- Geopolymer; Cement -- Periodicals; Cement -- Research -- Periodicals; Concrete -- Periodicals; Concrete -- Research -- Periodicals; Ciment -- Périodiques; Béton -- Périodiques; Cement; Concrete; Periodicals; 620.135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2019.04.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-8846

Abstract

Abstract: The atomic structure of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) is comprised of aluminum and silicon tetrahedral units organized in a manner that is elusive to characterization by many experimental techniques. This letter reports the use of atom probe tomography (APT) to determine the atomistic partitioning of an alkali-activated fly ash, which lends new insights into the nanoscale chemical heterogeneity of the material. APT effectively provides 3D ionic-level resolution of the alkali-activated fly ash examined in this study, and could be useful for the analysis of other cementitious materials or ceramics as well.