Mechanical properties of hybrid nano additives for geopolymer bricks

Geopolymer brick is regarded to be a more environmentally friendly alternative to Portland cement in the building sector. This study uses a natural nanomaterial as an aluminosilicate source metahalloysite-based geopolymer with two types of alkaline activator solution, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) mixed with sodium silicate. Adding nanoparticles to reinforce the geopolymer composite by weight of metahalloysite (1%, 2%, and 3%) (nano clay, MWCNT, Hybrid) hybrid that mixes nano clay with MWCNT. The mechanical properties were tested by compressive strength and hardness, to Characterization properties of metahalloysite-based geopolymer using Fourier transformed infrared, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show the optimum addition of nanoparticles is 2% hybrid that obtained the highest compressive strength was 30MPa and hardness test was 90, the morphology was more homogeneous and without pores due to additives of nanomaterials also that fact function as fillers in the matrix. From FTIR and DSC results the highest percentage of geopolymerization due to the tubular nano halloysite has vast surface areas and can serve as excellent nucleating sites. The production of new bricks that provide thermal insulation with high mechanical properties made it unique in constructions building.