Materials Today: Proceedings 45 (2021) 1017–1025

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Influence of nano TiO2 on strength and durability properties

of geopolymer concrete
K.V.S. Gopala Krishna Sastry a, P. Sahitya b, A. Ravitheja c
a
Department of Civil Engineering, G. Pulla Reddy Engineering College, Kurnool, India
b
Zaki and Associates, Hyderabad, India
c
Department of Civil Engineering, SVR Engineering College, Nandyal, India

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is treated as an ecologically pure construction material because cement is
Received 29 October 2019 completely retrieved by pozzolanic materials that are abundant in alumina and silica. GPC is actuated
Received in revised form 3 March 2020 with alkaline liquids to begin as a binder in concrete. Geopolymer concrete evince many outstanding
Accepted 6 March 2020
properties just as rapid strength, less shrinkage, and less creep, better resistance against sulphate and
Available online 10 April 2020
chloride attacks. The current review is to explore the effect of nano titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) on
fly ash based geopolymer concrete (FAGPC) with oven curing at 600c for 48 hrs. As an initial study,
Keywords:
GPC with 10 M was carried out for dissimilar ratios of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) to sodium hydroxide
GPC
FAGPC
(NaOH) solutions between 1.5 and 3.5. Out of all mixes, alkaline activator ratio harmonize to the highest
Nano TiO2 compressive strength was ascertained at 2.5. This ratio was kept constant for further study in GPC carried
Strength properties out by replacing fly ash with nano TiO2 between 1% and 5%. For all mixes of GPC with and without nano
Durability properties titanium dioxide, mechanical and durability properties were observed and evaluated. The test results
depict that, percentage increase of nano TiO2, gives rise to decline in workability and improves strength
properties of concrete. The maximum strength enrichment was noticed when 5% of nano-TiO2 was incor-
porated in GPC. As percentage of nano TiO2 hiked in GPC, the results of RCPT, Water absorption
and Sorptivity decreased. All these GPC specimens are immersed individually in 5% magnesium
sulphate and 5% sodium chloride to know the resistance of geopolymer concrete against sulphate and
chloride attacks. Results of this study concluded that increase in nano TiO2 percentage gives better
performance against sulphate and chloride solutions. Change in microstructure and mineral phases of
reference geopolymer concrete samples and maximum strength obtained geopolymer concrete samples
containing nano TiO2 was investigated using SEM and XRD analyses.
Ó 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Confer-
ence on Advances in Materials Research – 2019.

1. Introduction
Geopolymer concrete is a versatile product gaining importance
due to it reducing the greenhouse effect thereby global warming,
as it is devoid of cement. The benefits of geopolymer concrete
are its reducing disposal of industrial by products and its increas-
ing chemical & fire resistance of concrete. Nanomaterials are inge-
nious materials used in GPC to import strength & durability
properties. Based on investigations carried out using nanoparticles
it was proved that they are more reactive due to their microparticle
size.
Arie Wardhono et al. [1] have examined the critical mechanical
properties between alkali activated slag (AAS) and fly ash geopoly-
mer concretes (FAGPC). They revealed that AAS concrete had better
compressive strength and elastic modulus over FAGPC during ini-
tial 90 days. Dail Bondar [2] feigned in FAGPC extensive curing
time and prohibitive curing temperature assist to improve in com-
pressive strength, but improvement in strength may not show
remarkable change for more than 600c curing temperature for
longer than 48 h. Florence Sanchez et al. [3] set the ball rolling that
nano TiO2 was very efficacious for self cleaning and also nano TiO2
developed compressive and flexural strengths very quickly. Hasan
Rashidian- Dezfouli et al. [4] depicted the durability studies on

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.03.139
2214-7853/Ó 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International Conference on Advances in Materials Research – 2019.
1018 K.V.S. Gopala Krishna Sastry et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 45 (2021) 1017–1025
FAGP samples and revealed that fly ash based geopolymer shows
better results when exposed to sodium sulphate solution for
120 days than that of glass powder based geopolymers. Jae Eun
Oh et al. [5] have studied the crystalline phases of geopolymer con-
crete, and found that amorphous hydrated alkali-alumino silicate
chemical product formed while using fly ash based geopolymer
concrete and C-S-H gel was formed for alkali activated slag (AAS).
Ping Duan et al. [6] have analyzed that the compressive
strength of mixes using 5% nano TiO2 were 51%, 17.4%, 17.8%,
22.0% 22.0% and 19.2% higher than those of reference mix at 1d,
3d, 7 d, 28 d, 56 d, and 90 d, respectively. Sudipta Naskar et al.
[7] appraised the resolution of distinct % of nanomaterial inclusion
in low calcium fly ash geopolymer concrete. They also mentioned
that geopolymer concrete with addition of 1% titanium dioxide
gave good strength at both 7 and 28 days. The strength was
32.96%, 46.65% greater than the reference M25 grade geopolymer
concrete at 7 and 28 days respectively. Sundeep Inti et al. [8] pre-
pared a lower molarities of NaOH (4 M) at 800c obtained a com-
pressive strength of 46.6 MPa after 1 day curing and also
suggested that improving the temperature leads to decrease in
strength of the geopolymer. Ubolluk Rattanasak et al. [9] examined
the properties of geopolymer concrete by using dissimilar chemical
admixtures like calcium sulphate, calcium chloride and sodium
sulphate. In yang et al. [10] significant achievement was found in
mechanical strength and there was a decrease in the shrinkage
by addition of 0.5% nano TiO2 to AAS. The compressive strength
at 3d, 7 d and 28 days of nano TiO2 was 10%, 15% and 19% more
than reference group and flexural strengths of nano TiO2 was
25%, 25% and 38% more.
2. Experimental procedure
2.1. Materials and methodology
2.1.1. Fly ash
Used in this study was produced from Rayalaseema thermal
power station, kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India. Table 1 depicts the
physical and chemical characters of fly ash.
2.1.2. Aggregates
River sand available locally was used as fine aggregate. Specific
gravity and Fineness modulus of fine aggregate was 2.63 and 3.19.
Coarse aggregate of size less than 20 mm obtained from nearby
quarry was used in this work. Specific gravity and fineness modu-
lus of coarse aggregate was 2.67 and 6.24
2.1.3. Alkaline solutions
A coalition of NaOH and Na2SiO3 solutions was embracement as
alkaline solution. The concentration of NaOH was sustained at
10 M, while the concentration of Na2SiO3 embrace H2O of 49.72%,
SiO2 of 34.35% and Na2O of 16.37% used in alkaline activator
preparation.
Table 1
Physical properties & chemical characters of Fly ash.
Property Value Chemical
configuration
Specific surface, m2/Kg 372 SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3
Specific Gravity 2.5 SiO2
Bulk Density, Kg/m3 1220 CaO
Color Light grey MgO
SO3
L.O.I
2.1.4. Nano titanium dioxide
Nano materials are highly reactive materials in concrete and
they densify the microstructure and reduce the porosity. Chemical
composition of nano TiO2 consists of 59.93% titanium and 40.55%
oxygen. Grain size ranging of nano TiO2 utilized in this work veri-
fied for 20 mm to 10 mm.
2.1.5. Admixture (Glenium B-233)
Glenium B-233 brand superplasticizer was used in this research
work which was polycarboxylate ether based.
2.2. Mix design of GPC
Mix design method of GPC is totally different from plain con-
crete. The mix design of GPC was done using trial and error
method. In GPC, basically the mass of combined aggregates may
assort between 70% and 80%. In the current investigation alkaline
liquid to fly ash ratio by mass was taken as 0.55. In the first phase
of study, the alkaline solutions ratio i.e. Na2SiO3 to NaOH were var-
ied in the ratio of 1.5 to 3.5 by mass with an increment of 0.5. It
was noticed that GPC with alkaline activator ratio 2.5 attains max-
imum compressive strength. Table 2 represents the details of com-
pressive strength vs. alkaline activator ratio in FAGPC. Hence keep
constant alkaline ratio 2.5 for further study. Table 3 represents the
details of the FAGPC mixes using nano TiO2.
2.3. Mixing, casting and curing of GPC specimens
The dry ingredients of GPC like fly ash, coarse and fine aggregate
were mixed for 5 min in pan mixer. Alkaline activator is prepared
using NaOH of 10 M concentration mixed with Na2SiO3 solution
in the ratio of 1:2.5 (by weight) to prepare the alkali activator fluid.
Nano titanium dioxide with 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% of binder by
weight was also added to the fluid. These liquids are mixed prop-
erly for another 2 min. Add this liquid mixture to the dry compo-
nents and mixed for another 5 min. Afterwards GPC was then
poured into steel molds in 3 layers and each layer being tampered
and kept on vibratory table for compaction. All GPC mixes cast
were air cured for 24 h and later oven cured at 60 °C for next
48 h in oven. Afterwards specimens were kept in air till the testing
date.
2.4. Testing
The compressive strength test was performed according to
ASTM 1012.9 [11] and the results were delineated as the average
of three specimens. The flexural and split tensile strengths were
regulated in correspondence with ASTM 1012.11 [12] and ASTM
1012.10 [13]. Rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT) was per-
formed in accordance to ASTM C1202 [14]. This test utilized to
appraise resistance against chloride ion penetration in concrete
specimen. Water absorption % and apparent volume of permeable
voids (AVPV) were performed conformity with ASTM 1012.2 after
28 days of casting [15]. The sorptivity test was conducted as per
code ASTM C 1585–04 [16]. Sorptivity test is done to find the rate
of absorption of water by concrete specimens to estimate the
Percentage increase in the mass of a specimen when only one surface of the
by weight specimen is exposed to water. Resistance of FAGPC specimens
82.00
against sulphate and chloride attack is studied. X- ray Diffraction
59.50 (XRD) is a laboratory based technique commonly used for identifi-
4.00 cation of crystalline materials and analysis of unit cell dimensions.
0.92 A scanning electron microscope is a type of electron microscope
0.12
that produces images of a sample by scanning the surface with a
0.95
focused beam of electrons.
 K.V.S. Gopala Krishna Sastry et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 45 (2021) 1017–1025 1019

Table 2
Different alkaline activator ratios in FAGPC.

Mix No Na2SiO3 / Mass of fly Mass of fine Mass of Mass of Mass of NaOH Mass of water in NaOH CompressiveStrength
NaOH ash(Kg/ m3) aggregate(Kg/m3) coarseaggregate(Kg/m3) Na2SiO3(Kg/m3) pellets(Kg/m3) Solution(Kg/m3) at 7 days (N/mm2)
1 1.5 356.12 554.4 1293.6 117.52 22.38 55.96 23.44
2 2 356.12 554.4 1293.6 130.58 18.65 46.63 27.7
3 2.5 356.12 554.4 1293.6 139.90 15.98 39.97 29.92
4 3 356.12 554.4 1293.6 146.90 13.98 34.97 29.32
5 3.5 356.12 554.4 1293.6 152.34 12.43 31.09 28.73

Table 3
Mix proportion of Geopolymer concretes with different % of nano TiO2.

Mix No Mix % of nano Fly ash Fine aggregate (Kg/m3) Coarseaggregate (Kg/m3) Liquid / binder Alkaline Curing
designation TiO2 added (Kg/ m3) activator ratio
1 FA- NT- 0 0 356.12 554.4 1293.6 0.55 2.5 600c,48 h
2 FA- NT- 1 1
3 FA- NT- 2 2
4 FA- NT- 3 3
5 FA- NT- 4 4
6 FA- NT- 5 5

3. Results & discussion

Strength properties of FAGPC using different % of TiO2 are

depicted in Table 4.

3.1. Compressive strength of FAGPC

Fig. 1 signifies the variability of compressive strength of

geopolymer concrete with and without insertion of disparate per-
centages of nano TiO2 from 1 to 5% at 7 and 28 days. Percentage
improvement of compressive strength of FAGPC mixes using TiO2
are shown in Table 4. At 5% of nano TiO2 % development in com-
pressive strength of GPC is maximal and is 52.39% over the refer-
ence GPC. % improvement of the compressive strength of GPC
Fig. 1. Variability of compressive strength of FAGPC with nano TiO2.
was rapid in initial days (up to 7 days) and declined at later days
(7 to 28 days). This may be due to the benefaction of nano titanium
dioxide on the early age compressive strength. (N/mm2)
sile strength of FAGPC using TiO2 is shown in Table 4. At 5% of nano
TiO2 % improvement in split tensile strength of GPC is maximum
3.2. Flexural strength of FAGPC and is 22.22% over reference GPC.

Fig. 2 signifies the flexural strength enhancement of FAGPC with

and without nano titanium dioxide Table 4 depicts the percentage
variation of flexural strength of FAGPC using nano TiO2. At 5% of
nano TiO2 % improvement in flexural strength of geopolymer con-
crete is maximum and is 32.63% over reference GPC.
3.3. Split tensile strength of FAGPC
Fig. 3 represents variation of spilt tensile strength of FAGPC for
different % addition of nano TiO2. Percentage variation of split ten-
3.4. Rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT) of FAGPC
RCPT was used to determine the resistance of concrete speci-
men for chloride ion percolation. For these test concrete specimens
of size 100 mm diameters and 50 mm thickness were used. Across
the ends of the specimen a potential variation of 60 V was sus-
tained for around 6 hrs. One edge was ascended to a cell containing
0.3 N NaOH solutions and the other edge was ascended to a cell
containing 3% NaCl solution. For each and every 30 min until 6

Table 4
Different strength properties of FAGPC with Nano TiO2.

Mix designation Compressive strength (N/mm2) Flexural strength (N/mm2) Split tensile strength (N/mm2)
7 days % improvement 28 days % improvement 28 days % improvement 28 days % improvement
over Ref GPC over Ref GPC over Ref GPC over Ref GPC
FA-NT0 (Ref GPC) 29.92 – 34.51 – 6.17 – 2.86 –
FA-NT 1 37.77 26.2 40.88 18.4 7.06 14.3 3.08 7.6
FA-NT 2 38.96 30.1 43.11 24.9 7.45 20.6 3.14 9.9
FA-NT 3 43.40 45.0 46.37 34.3 7.94 28.5 3.18 11.1
FA-NT 4 44.00 47.0 50.63 46.7 7.99 29.9 3.34 16.7
FA-NT 5 46.66 55.9 54.59 52.3 8.19 32.6 3.49 22.2
1020 K.V.S. Gopala Krishna Sastry et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 45 (2021) 1017–1025

Table 6
Chloride ion permeability based on for specimens at 28 days total charge passed as
per ASTM C 1202.

Charge passed (in coulombs) Chloride ion permeability range

greater than4000 High
2000–4000 Moderate
1000–2000 Low
100–1000 Very low
less than100 Negligible

Fig. 2. Variability of flexural strength of FAGPC with nano TiO2.
Fig. 3. Variability of split tensile strength of FAGPC with nano TiO2.
hrs the current passage across the concrete specimen were deter-
mined. Passage of total charge through the concrete specimen
was observed in coulombs and associated to the resistance of the
specimen against chloride ion percolation. RCPT was conducted
at 28 days for FAGPC specimens with nano TiO2 and results are
presented in Table 5. The relation between charge passed (in cou-
lombs) through the specimens and the chloride permeability
shown in Table 6 according to ASTM C 1202. It was observed that
the charge passed will be decreased up to 3% nano TiO2 compared
with the reference mix and later, the charge passing increased. It
was observed that all specimens have permeability in the range
of 2000 to 4000 which is classified as ‘‘moderate” concrete. Due
to excess quantity of nano TiO2 beyond 3% permeability of concrete
was increased. Further study may be necessary to establish the
facts.
crete specimen, and oven dry specimen for not less than 24 h at a
temperature of 110 ± 50c. After that concrete specimens are cooled
in dry air and measured for the mass. Next immerse the specimen
in water for not less than 48 hrs and surface dry the specimen by
removing surface moisture with a towel, and determine the mass.
Further place the concrete specimen in boiled water at 500c for 5
hrs and allow it to cool for not less than 14 h to remove heat and
measure the mass after immersion and boiling. Afterwards the
apparent mass of the concrete specimen in water are to be found.
The water absorption and AVPV tests were conducted on FAGPC
with nano TiO2 and results are appearing in Table 7. The reference
GPC had higher water absorption than GPC with nano TiO2. How-
ever reduction in water absorption takes place by adding 1 to 5%
nano TiO2 i.e. from 6.4619% to 5.0%. In concrete water absorption
percentage higher than 5% is treated as more permeable concrete,
while lesser than 3% is terminated as low permeable concrete. Per-
centage of water absorption of FAGPC with 2.5% nano TiO2 was 5%
which was treated as concrete with medium permeability. The
AVPV is a percentage of pore space such as capillary pores, gel
pores and air voids inside the concrete. The voids are reduced by
adding nano TiO2. The % of voids scale down from 15.5% to
12.54%. Concrete with AVPV percentage less than 13% will be trea-
ted as good quality whereas above 18% as poor quality. However by
adding 5% nano titanium dioxide the AVPV value obtained was
12.54% hence it is good quality concrete. Fig. 4 indicates the water
absorption of reference GPC and GPC with nano TiO2. Fig. 5 depicts
the percentage variation of AVPV in FAGPC with TiO2.
Table 7
% of Water absorption and % of AVPV of FAGPC with nano titanium dioxide.
Mix designation Absorption after Volume of permeable pore space
immersion % (voids)%
FA-NT 0 (Reference 6.4619 15.5
GPC)
FA-NT 1 6.2150 14.91
FA-NT 2 6.1500 13.919
FA-NT 3 5.9082 13.43
FA-NT 4 5.8572 13.28
FA-NT 5 5.4678 12.54

3.5. Water absorption and AVPV of FAGPC

This test method embeds the discernment of absorption per-

cent, and voids percent in concrete. Measure the mass of the con-

Table 5
Rapid chloride permeabilty test results.

Mixture Charge passed Permeability range (as per ASTM C

(in coulombs) 1202)
FA-NT 0 2984 Moderate
FA-NT 1 2208 Moderate
FA-NT 2 2088.5 Moderate
FA-NT 3 2016 Moderate
FA-NT 4 3983 Moderate
FA-NT 5 3994.5 Moderate
Fig. 4. % of water absorption in FAGPC with TiO2.
 K.V.S. Gopala Krishna Sastry et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 45 (2021) 1017–1025 1021

Ref GPC from 0.16105 mm/min1/2 to 0.1063 mm/min1/2 when com-

pared to reference GPC. Table 8 indicates the results of sorptivity of
FAGPC. There was a large reduction in sorptivity value by adding
nano TiO2 which represents the GPC with nano TiO2 is good
concrete.

3.7. Sulfate attack on FAGPC

In order to conduct the sulphate attack test, FAGPC specimens

Fig. 5. % variation of AVPV in FAGPC with nano TiO2.
3.6. Sorptivity test on FAGPC
The sorptivity test is performed to find the water absorption
rate of concrete specimens by exposing one surface of the speci-
men to water. The variability of sorptivity values of FAGPC with
nano titanium dioxide are shown in Fig. 6. It can be found that
addition of nano TiO2 decreases the sorptivity value. Reduction in
sorptivity value was noticed when GPC with 5% nano TiO2 and
(after airing 28 days) were immersed in 5% magnesium sulphate
solution for duration of 28 days. Percentage of weight reduction
and Compressive strength of specimens were determined after
28 days of absorption in magnesium sulphate solution. Table 9 rep-
resents the % loss in weight and % reduction in compressive
strength of FAGPC specimens containing nano titanium dioxide.
Fig. 7 describes weight change earlier and after immersion in solu-
tion of magnesium sulphate. Fig. 8 narrate variation of compressive
strength of FAGPC with and without immersion in solution magne-
sium sulphate.
3.8. Chloride attack on FAGPC
In order to conduct the chloride attack test, FAGPC specimens
(after airing 28 days) were immersed in 5% sodium chloride solu-
tion for duration of 28 days. Compressive strength and percentage

Fig. 6. variability of sorptivity values of FAGPC with nano titanium dioxide sulfate.

Table 8
sorptivity values for different mixes.

Mix designation Mass (g) Change in mass (g) Absorption, I (mm) Sorptivity mm/min1/2
FA-NT 0 864 24 3.055 0.16105
FA-NT 1 904 21 2.6738 0.1409
FA-NT 2 930 19.2 2.446 0.1289
FA-NT 3 966 17.9 2.279 0.12011
FA-NT 4 972 16.3 2.075 0.1093
FA-NT 5 998 15.8 2.017 0.1063

Table 9
Reduction of weight and compressive strength of FAGPC for sulfate exposure.

Mix designation Wt before Wt after % weight loss Compressive strength before Compressive strength before % reduction in
exposure (g) exposure (g) exposure (N/mm2) exposure (N/mm2) compressive strength
FA-NT 0 798.5 798.15 4.383 34.51 34.019 1.44
FA-NT 1 813 783.5 3.628 40.88 40.39 1.21
FA-NT 2 815 791 2.902 43.11 42.635 1.11
FA-NT 3 817.5 800.5 2.079 46.37 45.9 1.02
FA-NT 4 819.5 805.5 1.708 50.66 50.21 0.896
FA-NT 5 832 823 1.09 54.96 54.52 0.80
1022 K.V.S. Gopala Krishna Sastry et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 45 (2021) 1017–1025

Fig. 7. Change in weight of FAGPC exposed to Sulphate.

Fig. 9. Change in weight of FAGPC exposed to chloride.

weight reduction of specimens were found after 28 days immer-

sion in sodium chloride solution. Concrete specimens were sub-
merged in 5% sodium chloride solution after 28 days casting.
Percentage reduction in weight and the % loss in compressive
strength of the concrete specimens were found at 28 days after
immersion in sodium chloride solution. Table 10 represents the %
loss in weight and % reduction in compressive strength of FAGPC
specimens containing nano titanium dioxide. Fig. 9 represents
the change in weight of FAGPC specimens dipped in sodium chlo-
ride solution. As shown in Fig. 10. Percentage reduction in com-
pressive strength was lower by adding nano titanium dioxide
compare to the reference GPC.

3.9. XRD analysis of FAGPC

XRD analysis is done for plain FAGPC sample and 5% nano TiO2 Fig. 10. Reduction in compressive strength of FAGPC Exposure for chloride
FAGPC sample (at which maximum strength obtained). XRD anal- exposure.

Fig. 8. compressive strength of FAGPC for exposed to sulfate.

Table 10
Results of weight and compressive strength of FAGPC for chloride exposure.

Mix Wt before Wt after % loss in Compressive strength before Compressive strength before % reduction in compressive
designation exposure (g) exposure (g) weight exposure (N/mm2) exposure (N/mm2) strength
FA-NT 0 794.0 757.8 0.362 34.51 33.99 1.52
FA-NT 1 814 778.1 0.359 40.88 40.368 1.26
FA-NT 2 819 786 0.33 43.11 42.62 1.14
FA-NT 3 821.9 793 0.289 46.37 45.86 1.11
FA-NT 4 827 811.5 0.155 50.66 50.11 0.93
FA-NT 5 836 824 0.12 54.96 54.509 0.827
 K.V.S. Gopala Krishna Sastry et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 45 (2021) 1017–1025 1023

ysis of plain FAGPC sample is as shown in Fig. 11. XRD analysis of
5% nano TiO2 FAGPC sample is as shown in Fig. 12.
XRD of FAGPC shows that geopolymer materials are prevailingly
of X-Ray amorphous character where diffraction crystals were
those of original minerals: quartz, mulite and hematite. An amor-
phous hump is observed in the diffraction pattern between 2h val-
ues of approximately 200 to 300, which could be due to the
presence of amorphous glassy material (17). XRD of nano TiO2
FAGPC is similar to that of XRD of FAGPC except for the formation
of additional mineral Anatase. The diffraction of FAGPC was chan-
ged due to addition of nano TiO2.The Hump, which is slightly
shifted from 200-300 to 200-380(2h) values. This change indicates
the formation of an N-A-S-H gel which is the main reaction product
of geo-polymerization reaction in diffraction pattern of geo-
polymeric materials. The crystalline phases (quartz, mulite and
hematite) detected in both concretes are same except mineral like
anatase formed when nano TiO2 FAGPC, could be the reason for
gaining more strength and also due to nano filling [17].
3.10. SEM result of fly ash based geopolymer concrete samples
SEM analysis is done for plain FAGPC sample and 5% nano TiO2
FAGPC sample). SEM analysis pictures of plain FAGPC sample is
shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 14 shows the SEM analysis of 5% nano TiO2
FAGPC sample. As per the micrograph shown in Fig. 13, the
microstructure of FAGPC is porous, heterogeneous mixtures of par-
tially reacted fly ash particles and is of 10 mm magnification. It also
represents many needle shaped particles which are formed on the
surface of concrete.
Fig. 14 illustrate the microstructure of nano TiO2 FAGPC, which
shows the microstructure, is less porous when compared to the
microstructure of FAGPC. It represents micro structure of 10 mm
magnification and shows heterogeneous structure of more reacted
fly ash particles and dense structure. Hence size and amount of un
reacted fly ash particles were decreased by addition of nano TiO2,
which imports hydration speed and formation of hydrated prod-
ucts because of nucleation and nano filling [17–18]. Finally it

Fig. 11. XRD analysis for plain Fly ash based geopolymer concrete.

Fig. 12. XRD analysis for Fly ash based geopolymer concrete with 5% TiO2.
1024 K.V.S. Gopala Krishna Sastry et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 45 (2021) 1017–1025
Fig. 13. SEM result of plain fly ash based GPC.
Fig. 14. SEM result of 5% TiO2 added fly ash based GPC.
was concluded that addition of nano TiO2 in FAGPC leads to high
strength and better durability properties due to above reasons
4. Conclusions
Based on the limited experimental study, the following conclu-
sions are made on strength and durability of FAGPC with nano-
TiO2.
As the percentage of nano TiO2 increased in FAGPC, its strength
properties are increased. At 5% of Nano-titanium dioxide in FAGPC,
maximum enhancement among all mixes was noticed. The
enhancement of compressive strength, split tensile and flexural
strengths with respect to GPC mix (without nano TiO2) was
54.96%, 32.63% and 22.22% respectively.Addition of nano TiO2 to
the mixes has enhanced the chloride resistance & sulphate resis-
tance of FAGPC..The water absorption (%) & AVPV (%) and sorptivity
of GPC were reduced due to the addition of nano titanium dioxide.
Addition of TiO2 made the FAGPC more dense with the formation of
additional reactive products which was confirmed through XRD
and SEM analysis.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing finan-
cial interests or personal relationships that could have appearen-
hancement of compressive strength, split tensile and flexuraled to
influence the work reported in this paper.
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