Effect of Temperature and Humidity on the Synthesis of Alkali-Activated Binders Based on Bottom Ash from Municipal Waste Incineration

---

Publication Highlights

1. The research emphasizes the viability of using the coarse fraction of WBA (>8 mm) as the exclusive precursor in formulating alkali-activated binders, with CSH and/or CASH gels identified as the main reaction products.
2. The study reveals that curing temperature significantly influences the compressive strength and microstructure of alkali-activated binders.
3. Humidity is identified as a crucial factor affecting the final properties of alkali-activated binders. The equilibrium between water and water vapor during curing regulates mixing water removal, influencing porosity.
4. The research underscores that, irrespective of curing temperature, the potential release of metals and metalloids is not significantly affected. However, lower porosity and longer curing times substantially decrease the leaching potential of alkali-activated binders formulated using the coarse fraction of WBA as the sole precursor.
5. The study highlights the challenge of optimizing curing parameters, indicating that while higher temperatures enhance binder properties, exceeding certain temperature thresholds can lead to the formation of less cohesive microstructures.

---