PREPARATION OF GEOPOLYMER CEMENT FROM LUNAR ROCK SAND USING ALKALI FUSION, AND ITS EVALUATION OF RADIATION SHIELDING ABILITY

Abstract

In this study, simulated lunar rock sand was converted into geopolymer cement by alkali fusion with sodium hydroxide, and its radiation shielding ability was estimated. Space development is currently being conducted in various countries. For construction on the moon, it is difficult to bring all the construction materials from the earth, and construction materials prepared from lunar resources are required. In addition, it is necessary to develop construction materials with radiation shielding ability since the lunar surface is directly affected by space radiation. In a previous study, it has succeeded in making geopolymer cement from simulated lunar rock sand using alkali fusion. Therefore, there is a possibility that geopolymer cement used for construction material can be prepared from lunar rock sand, abundantly present on the lunar surface. In this experiment, geopolymer cement was prepared from simulated lunar rock sand by changing the mixing ratio of the sand, sodium hydroxide and water, and strength of the cement was examined to obtain high-strength geopolymer. In addition, the resulting high-strength geopolymer cement was subjected to radiation shielding tests to confirm its radiation shielding ability. As a result, it was found that the high-strength geopolymer cement with radiation shielding ability can be prepared from simulated lunar rock sand using alkali fusion with sodium hydroxide.