Geopolymers

A geopolymer is a solid aluminosilicate material usually formed by alkali hydroxide or alkali silicate activation of a solid precursor such as coal fly ash, calcined clay and/or metallurgical slag. Today the primary application of geopolymer technology is in the development of reduced-CO2 construction materials as an alternative to Portland-based cements. Geopolymers: structure, processing, properties and industrial applications reviews the latest research on and applications of these highly important materials.Part one discusses the synthesis and characterisation of geopolymers with chapters on topics such as fly ash chemistry and inorganic polymer cements, geopolymer precursor design, nanostructure/microstructure of metakaolin and fly ash geopolymers, and geopolymer synthesis kinetics. Part two reviews the manufacture and properties of geopolymers including accelerated ageing of geopolymers, chemical durability, engineering properties of geopolymer concrete, producing fire and heat-resistant geopolymers, utilisation of mining wastes and thermal properties of geopolymers. Part three covers applications of geopolymers with coverage of topics such as commercialisation of geopolymers for construction, as well as applications in waste management.With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Geopolymers: structure, processing, properties and industrial applications is a standard reference for scientists and engineers in industry and the academic sector, including practitioners in the cement and concrete industry as well as those involved in waste reduction and disposal. Discusses the synthesis and characterisation of geopolymers with chapters covering fly ash chemistry and inorganic polymer cements Assesses the application and commercialisation of geopolymers with particular focus on applications in waste management Reviews the latest research on and applications of these highly important materials

What can be done about the major concerns of our Global Economy on energy, global warming, sustainable development, user-friendly processes, and green chemistry? Here is an important contribution to the mastering of these phenomena today. Written by Joseph Davidovits, the inventor and founder of geopolymer science, it is an introduction to the subject for the newcomers, students, engineers and professionals. You will find science, chemistry, formulas and very practical information (including patents' excerpts) covering: - The mineral polymer concept: silicones and geopolymers, - Macromolecular structure of natural silicates and aluminosilicates, - Scientific Tools, X-rays, FTIR, NMR, - The synthesis of mineral geopolymers, Poly(siloxonate) and polysilicate, soluble silicate, Chemistry of (Na, K)oligo-sialates: hydrous alumino-silicate gels and zeolites, Kaolinite / Hydrosodalite-based geopolymer, Metakaolin MK-750-based geopolymer, Calcium-based geopolymer, Rock-based geopolymer, Silica-based geopolymer, Fly ash-based geopolymer, Phosphate-based geopolymer, Organic-mineral geopolymer, - Properties: physical, chemical and long-term durability, - Applications: Quality controls, Development of user-friendly systems, Castable geopolymer, industrial and decorative applications, Geopolymer / fiber composites, Foamed geopolymer, Geopolymers in ceramic processing, Manufacture of geopolymer cement, Geopolymer concrete, Geopolymers in toxic and radioactive waste management. It is a textbook, a reference book instead of being a collection of scientific papers. Each chapter is followed by a bibliography of the relevant published literature including 75 patents, 120 tables, 360 figures, 550references, 700 authors cited, representing the most up to date contributions of the scientific community. The industrial applications of geopolymers with engineering procedures and design of processes are also covered in this book.

Geopolymers presents a complex and interdisciplinary study in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, and civil engineering on oxide materials based on mineral wastes, known as geopolymers. Considering the ideal requirements for developing eco-friendly materials for industrial applications, this book describes how to design and develop different types of geopolymers that use mineral wastes or natural aluminosilicates as raw materials. It contains advanced knowledge and information regarding geopolymer manufacturing, development, characterization, and applications in soil stabilization, civil engineering, or ceramics. This book is relevant for undergraduate and graduate students conducting fundamental and applied research in the fields of materials engineering, ceramics engineering, and water processing.

Geopolymers are applied to material classes that are chemically transformed from low crystallinity aluminusilicates to three-dimensional inorganic polymers (tectosilicates). The resulting material has properties similar to natural minerals, so it is called artificial rock. However, these materials exhibit a chemical composition and mineralogical structure similar to feldspar, feldspathoidal, and zeolites consisting of a polymeric Si–O– Al framework, with a microcrystalline or an amorphous structure. Although geopolymers have attractive engineering and environmental characteristics, there are some challenges in commercializing these materials. In this book, these challenges will be addressed along with introducing the functional geopolymers as an effective approach to commercializing these materials and making them economically feasible.

Papers from The American Ceramic Society's 31st International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites, held in Daytona Beach, Florida, January 21-26, 2007. Includes papers on porous ceramics ranging from nanoporous to macroporous systems, including foams, honeycombs, 3D scaffolds, interconnected fibers, sintered hollow spheres, and aerogels; ceramics in medical applications; and geopolymers, a new class of totally inorganic, aluminosilicate-based ceramics that are charge balanced by group I oxides (i.e., Na, K, and Cs)