article · Materials Today Sustainability
This review highlights geopolymers as a sustainable alternative to traditional cement, addressing environmental concerns from its production. It delves into the chemical fundamentals crucial for their development, refining the classification of aluminosilicate raw materials and clarifying common misunderstandings in geopolymer chemistry. The review examines how key composition ratios and curing processes influence geopolymer properties, distinguishing between alkali-aluminosilicate and aluminosilicate phosphate types based on their performance characteristics. It advocates for standardised testing and regulatory frameworks to facilitate broader integration of geopolymers into sustainable construction practices, emphasising the importance of a deep chemical understanding for advancing this eco-friendly building solution.
Traditional cement production significantly harms the environment. Geopolymers offer a greener alternative, reducing emissions and resource use in construction. Understanding their chemistry is key to developing better, more durable building materials, paving the way for more sustainable infrastructure and helping meet global environmental goals.
This research supports the development of eco-friendly building materials for the construction industry, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional cement. It is applied research, aiming to improve geopolymer formulations and performance for real-world use. Potential users include construction companies and material manufacturers. The abstract indicates that while the technology is promising, widespread adoption requires the establishment of standardised testing and regulatory frameworks.
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The rising environmental toll of traditional cement production, marked by substantial resource consumption, high greenhouse gas emissions, and low energy efficiency, drives the need for alternative, sustainable building materials. This review advocates for a shift towards geopolymers as a sustainable alternative, focusing on their chemical fundamentals, which are key to this transition. The study affirms that geopolymers support multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their lower carbon footprint and reduced resource usage, addressing the critical need for eco-friendly construction options. Further, the review refines the classification of aluminosilicate raw materials into true precursors and auxiliary materials and details their reactivity profiles, essential for enhancing geopolymer formulations and thereby improving their quality. The review clarifies common misunderstandings in geopolymer chemistry, such as the differences between chemical alkalination and alkali activation, activators versus hardeners, and gels versus geopolymers, as well as dissolution versus depolymerization, improving the foundational knowledge needed for material science innovation. Examination of key composition ratios such as SiO₂/Al₂O₃, M₂O/SiO₂, SiO₂/Fe₂O₃, Na/Fe, Al/Fe and H₂O/M₂O highlights their significant impact on the mechanical properties and longevity of geopolymers. Furthermore, the distinctions between alkali-aluminosilicate (AAS) and aluminosilicate phosphate (ASP) geopolymers are elucidated, showing that AAS geopolymers offer better early-age strength, whereas ASP geopolymers provide greater thermal stability and dielectric properties. The review also specifies that curing processes are crucial to geopolymer performance, with high-temperature curing boosting early strength at the potential cost of long-term durability, and ambient curing enhancing durability and environmental resistance. The review further advocates for standardized testing procedures and regulatory frameworks to promote wider adoption of geopolymers in sustainable construction. Overall, this review underscores the importance of advancing geopolymer technology through a deep chemical understanding and regulatory support, facilitating their broader integration into sustainable construction practices and establishing geopolymers as a fundamental component of eco-friendly building solutions.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2024.100842
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