Alkali activation presents a promising method for the in situ resource utilization (ISRU) of lunar regolith. Enhancing the geopolymerization reactivity of lunar regolith simulant is key in minimizing alkali activator usage and improving raw material utilization. This study investigates the impact of thermal activation on precursor materials and the resultant geopolymers. Initially, the mineralogical composition and chemical structural changes in thermally activated samples were analyzed using XRD-Rietveld, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. Subsequently, ICP-OES was employed to measure the solubility of various thermally activated samples in NaOH solution. Finally, the physicochemical composition and microstructure of the geopolymers were evaluated using SEM-EDS, FTIR, DSC, and compressive strength tests. The results show that thermal activation enhances precursor reactivity by increasing the non-bridging oxygen (NBO) content, reducing polymerization, and altering the binding energies of Si, Al, and O. Following thermal activation, the solubility of Si and Al in the NaOH solution was significantly improved. A more comprehensive thermal activation process produces geopolymers with improved compressive strength, a higher reaction degree, and a denser microstructure, and encourages the formation of Si-rich gels. Hence, treating precursor materials via thermal activation offers vast potential for creating lunar regolith geopolymer-based building materials with excellent properties.

中文翻译：

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热活化对月球风化层模拟物前驱体和所得地聚合物的影响：成分、结构、溶解度和反应性


碱活化为月球风化层原位资源利用 （ISRU） 提供了一种很有前途的方法。增强月球风化层模拟剂的地聚合反应性是最大限度地减少碱活化剂使用和提高原材料利用率的关键。本研究调查了热活化对前驱体材料和所得地质聚合物的影响。最初，使用 XRD-Rietveld、XPS 和拉曼光谱分析热活化样品中的矿物成分和化学结构变化。随后，采用 ICP-OES 测量各种热活化样品在 NaOH 溶液中的溶解度。最后，使用 SEM-EDS、FTIR、DSC 和抗压强度测试评价了地质聚合物的物理化学组成和微观结构。结果表明，热活化通过增加非桥接氧 （NBO） 含量、减少聚合和改变 Si、Al 和 O 的结合能来增强前驱体反应性。热活化后，Si 和 Al 在 NaOH 溶液中的溶解度显著提高。更全面的热活化过程产生的地聚合物具有更高的抗压强度、更高的反应程度和更致密的微观结构，并促进富硅凝胶的形成。因此，通过热活化处理前驱体材料为创造具有优异性能的月球风化层地质聚合物基建筑材料提供了巨大的潜力。