Effects of graphene oxide on the geopolymerization mechanism determined by quenching the reaction at intermediate states

The effects of graphene oxide on the geopolymerization reaction products at different times were investigated by quenching the reaction. The phase composition and valence bond structure evolution were investigated systematically. The results show that the ethanol/acetone mixture helps isolate reaction products early in the process (0-24 h). RGO bonded well with the geopolymer matrix during the geopolymerization. The degree of densification increased and the amorphous nature of the material decreased with reaction time. The addition of rGO accelerated the conversion of five and six coordinate Al-O sites into four coordinates and Si atoms forming Q₄(3Al) network structure.