Synthesis and Characterization of Nano-Palm Oil Fuel Ash and Nano-Fly Ash as Cementitious Fillers in High-Performance Engineering Cementitious Composites

This study aims to enhance the pozzolanic reactivity and cementitious performance of palm oil fuel ash (POFA) and fly ash (FA) nanoparticles as eco-friendly supplementary materials in nanostructured engineered cementitious composites (ECC), thereby reducing industrial boiler waste and contributing to sustainable construction practices. POFA and FA were dried and ground into nanoparticles using a ball mill with replacement levels of ۰%, ۵%, ۱۰%, and ۱۵%. Characterization was performed using XRF, XRD, and FTIR, while physical tests included slump flow, density, and compressive strength. XRF confirmed the cementitious and pozzolanic properties of POFA and FA, with POFA containing over ۵۰% SiO₂+Al₂O₃+Fe₂O₃ and FA exceeding ۷۰%. XRD showed average crystal sizes of ۲۸.۰۲ nm (POFA) and ۱۶.۴۶ nm (FA) with amorphous phases of ۷۱.۷۸% and ۹۱.۹۳%, respectively. FTIR revealed dominant Si–O–Si and Si–OH groups, indicating high silica content and pozzolanic reactivity. The slump flow decreased with higher POFA and FA content due to water absorption but remained within the high-performance concrete range (۵۰۰–۸۰۰ mm). Density values decreased yet stayed between normal and lightweight concrete limits. The compressive strength increased with higher nanoparticle content, reaching ۴۶.۳۴–۷۲.۷۳ MPa at ۲۸ days, confirming improved hydration and mechanical performance

کلیدواژه ها:

Palm oil fuel ash (POFA) ، Fly ash (FA) ، Nanomortar ، Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) ، Pozzolanic reactivity ، Environmental Sustainability