Development of a Zero-Cement Binder Using Slag, Fly Ash, and Rice Husk Ash with Chemical Activator

The increasing demand and consumption of cement have necessitated the use of slag, fly ash, rice husk ash (RHA), and so forth as a supplement of cement in concrete construction. The aim of the study is to develop a zero-cement binder (Z-Cem) using slag, fly ash, and RHA combined with chemical activator. NaOH, Ca(OH)₂, and KOH were used in varying weights and molar concentrations. Z-Cem was tested for its consistency, setting time, flow, compressive strength, XRD, SEM, and FTIR. The consistency and setting time of the Z-Cem paste increase with increasing RHA content. The Z-Cem mortar requires more superplasticizer to maintain a constant flow of110±5% compared with OPC. The compressive strength of the Z-Cem mortar is significantly influenced by the amounts, types, and molar concentration of the activators. The Z-Cem mortar achieves a compressive strength of 42–44 MPa at 28 days with 5% NaOH or at 2.5 molar concentrations. The FTIR results reveal that molecules in the Z-Cem mortar have a silica-hydrate (Si-H) bond with sodium or other inorganic metals (i.e., sodium/calcium-silica-hydrate-alumina gel). Therefore, Z-Cem could be developed using the aforementioned materials with the chemical activator.