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, 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 SiAlONs, which can be further demonstrated.
Proposed Session Topics
- 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
Symposium Organizers
- Waltraud M. Kriven, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
- Joseph Davidovits, Geopolymer Institute, St. Quentin, France
- Ghassan Al Chaar, US Army Corps of Engineers, ERDC, CERL, USA
- Don Seo, Arizona State University, USA
- Henry A. Colorado, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
Point of Contact
- Waltraud M. Kriven: kriven@illinois.edu
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