SYMPOSIUM 16: Geopolymers, inorganic polymer-derived ceramics and sustainable construction materials

SYMPOSIUM 16: Geopolymers, inorganic polymer-derived ceramics and sustainable construction materials

Refractory inorganic polymers can be made at ambient temperatures and pressures from a powder and a liquid to form a paste of low viscosity. These materials, called “geopolymers”, include alkali metakaolin-based, alumino-silicates; alumino silicate phosphates; magnesium borates; potassium magnesium phosphates; alternative geopolymer compositions. The use of biological materials as starting compounds or as reinforcements in composites demonstrates the eco-friendly and sustainable nature of these materials. The alkali-based, aluminosilicate geopolymer “glue” is refractory up to 1000°C, whereupon it converts to a ceramic, or a ceramic plus glass. Novel potential applications of such composites include: organic alkali charge-balanced geopolymers; porous geopolymers for water purification by heavy metal removal; geopolymer derived nano-zeolites for CO₂ sequestration; porous geopolymers for thermal insulation; structural ceramic composites containing ceramic, metal, organic or biological reinforcements; fire and corrosion resistant coatings; nuclear radiation shielding geopolymer composites; infrastructure and construction materials. The nanoparticulate nature of geopolymers also provides a low energy, processing route to ultra-refractory ceramic powders or versatile forming methods based on transient, organic alkali, charge-balanced geopolymer, and 4D printing, taking advantage of geopolymer thixotropy.

Proposed Session Topics

• Synthesis, processing microstructure
• Mechanical properties, thermal shock resistance
• Alkali-based geopolymers
• Acid-based phosphate geopolymers
• Other inorganic geopolymer analogues
• Geopolymer-derived processing routes
• Nuclear radiation shielding
• Sustainable construction materials
• Use of waste materials to make geopolymers
• Novel applications

Symposium Organizers

• Waltraud M. Kriven, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
• Joseph Davidovits, Geopolymer Institute, St. Quentin, France
• Henry A. Colorado, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia
• Cristina Leonelli, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
• Sylvie Rossignol, University of Limoges, France
• Ana Trindade, University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil

Point of Contact

• Waltraud M. Kriven: kriven@illinois.edu