Laboratory evaluation of alkali-activated mortars modified with nanosilica from glass bottle wastes

Abstract

Saving energy, reducing greenhouse emissions, and the eco-friendly disposal of waste materials produced during manufacturing processes are significant challenges in urban communities around the world. Every year, over a million tons of glass bottles are disposed of. In fact, very few are recycled. In the present research, Nanopowder (NGP) (a waste product of glass bottles) was prepared by placing slag (GBFS) in fly ash (FA)-based alkali-activated mortars (AAMs). The key objective of the study was to measure the compressive strength performance and microstructure of the NGP blended AAMs. It was revealed that reusing these waste products enhanced the strength and microstructure properties of the AAMs that were produced. In the AAMs whereby 5% NGP was used to replace GBFS, compressive strength (above 16%), microstructure properties and durability were all enhanced with lowered water absorption. However, the strength performance of the mortar made up of 10% NGP was lower. Thus, the researcher concluded that there were clear environmental advantages of using the proposed AAMs consisting of NGP, which could significantly minimize global warming. As concrete remains the most used man-made material around the world, the reuse of AAMs could thus significantly reduce landfill requirements for glass waste that cannot be recycled for further glass production.