Impact of Nano-CaCO₃ and PVA Fiber on Properties of Fresh and Hardened Geopolymer Mortar

Geopolymer is a green substitute for Portland cement but has low tensile strength, high brittleness and easy cracking. Therefore, fibers and nanomaterials are used to strengthen and toughen geopolymer composites. The influence of nano-calcium carbonate and PVA fiber on the properties of fresh and hardened geopolymer mortar were studied herein. The hybrid of long and short fibers with small content (0.8 vol.%) is conducive to flowability, while the hybrid with large content (1.6 vol.%) and nano-calcium carbonate is conducive to flowability. The slump flow and flow rate of geopolymer mortars with low fiber factor (product of fiber volume fraction and length-diameter ratio) decrease with the growth in nano-calcium carbonate content. As the PVA fiber factor reaches 464.8%, the slump flow and flow rate values of mortars with 0, 1 wt.% and 2 wt.% nano-calcium carbonate are close to each other. About 450% is the density packing threshold of PVA fiber in geopolymer composites. The combination of 0.8 vol.% 12 mm + 0.4 vol.% 6 mm fiber + 1 wt.% nano-calcium carbonate presents the highest flexural strength and flexural to compressive strength ratio, with a compressive strength of about 36 MPa. The optimal fiber factor range of PVA fiber in cement and geopolymer mortar is about 400% and higher than 600%, respectively. PVA fibers show more effective enhancement of flexural strength and toughness in geopolymer than cement mortar. The ultrasonic wave velocity and apparent density of geopolymer mortar show a downward trend as a whole with the increase in fiber factor. The intensity rise of the hump between 17 & DEG; and 38 & DEG; (2 & theta;) in the XRD pattern is observed. The SEM indicates that the surface of PVA fiber in geopolymer mortar with nano-calcium carbonate is heavily scratched, and the fiber filaments are rolled up, demonstrating improved bonding between PVA fiber and geopolymer mortar.