S16: Geopolymers, Inorganic Polymers, and Sustainable Materials

Refractory inorganic polymers can be made at ambient temperatures and pressures. These materials include alumino-silicates or stoichiometric “geopolymers” (which convert to single phase ceramics upon heating), alkali-activated cements and materials, phosphates, and other chemically bonded inorganic compounds. The use of waste products such as fly ash or slag, or components derived from biological materials as starting compounds or as reinforcements in composites demonstrates the eco-friendly and sustainable nature of these materials.

Novel potential applications of such composites include fire and corrosion-resistant materials; infrastructure and construction materials; thermal insulation; porous materials; structural ceramic composites containing ceramic, metal, organic or biological reinforcements; liquid and water purification; porous materials for CO₂ sequestration; and bio and medical applications. The nanoparticulate nature of geopolymers also provides a low energy processing route to ultra-refractory ceramic powders such as SiC, Si₃N₄ and SiAlON, which can be further demonstrated.

Proposed sessions

• Synthesis, processing microstructure
• Mechanical properties, thermal shock resistance
• Composites
• Medical applications
• Phosphates and other inorganic analogues
• Novel applications
• Geopolymer-derived processing routes
• Conversion to ceramics
• Use of waste materials to make geopolymers
• Alkali-activated cements and materials
• Infrastructure and construction materials
• Coatings (fire resistant, acid resistant)
• Waste encapsulation
• Sustainable materials

Organizers

• Waltraud M. Kriven, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA, kriven@illinois.edu
• Joseph Davidovits, Geopolymer Institute, France
• Ghassan Al Chaar, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ERDC, CERL, USA
• Don Seo, Arizona State University, USA
• Henry A. Colorado, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia