Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
3.7
2.0
Journals
Ceramics
Special Issues
The Production Processes and Applications of Geopolymers, 2nd Edition
share announcement

The Production Processes and Applications of Geopolymers, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Ceramics (ISSN 2571-6131).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2025 | Viewed by 2787

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kinga Korniejenko

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Material Engineering, Faculty of Material Engineering and Physics, Cracow University of Technology, Jana Pawła II 37, 31-864 Cracow, Poland
Interests: geopolymer; geopolymer composites; circular economy; additive manufacturing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Katarzyna Łoś

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Material Science, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 2, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic
Interests: building materials; geopolymer composites; geopolymer application; antibacterial coatings; hydrophobic coatings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Aleksandar Nikolov

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography, Bulgarian Academy of Science (IMC-BAS), Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 107, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: geopolymer; geopolymer composites; zeolites; antibacterial coatings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the success of our previous Special Issue, we are pleased to announce a Second Edition of the Special Issue titled “The Production Processes and Applications of Geopolymers, 2nd Edition”.

In the Second Edition, we would like to stress the environmental aspects connected with geopolymer materials. Geopolymers have emerged as a key class of materials that contribute to a more sustainable future. Their ability to utilize industrial by-products, reduce CO2 emissions, and offer enhanced durability positions them as a crucial solution in the transition toward a circular economy. Over the past decade, significant advancements have been made in the synthesis, characterization, and application of geopolymers, highlighting their potential across multiple industries, including construction, waste management, energy storage, and environmental remediation.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments in geopolymer science and technology, emphasizing their role in sustainability and circular economy principles. We invite researchers to submit original research articles, reviews, and short communications on topics including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Development of geopolymer binders from industrial by-products (e.g., fly ash, slag, red mud);
  • Alkali-activated materials and alternative activators;
  • Characterization and durability of geopolymers in diverse environments;
  • Mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of geopolymers;
  • Geopolymer composites and functionalized materials;
  • Applications in construction, infrastructure, and advanced engineering;
  • Geopolymers for carbon capture and environmental remediation;
  • 3D printing and additive manufacturing of geopolymer-based materials;
  • Life cycle assessment and sustainability metrics of geopolymer systems.

By gathering contributions from leading experts, we aim to showcase the latest research advancing the field of geopolymers while reinforcing their impact on sustainable development and resource efficiency.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and contributing to the global conversation on sustainable materials.

Best regards,

Dr. Kinga Korniejenko
Dr. Katarzyna Łoś
Dr. Aleksandar Nikolov
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Ceramics is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • geopolymer
  • geopolymerization
  • alkaline activation
  • additive manufacturing of geopolymers
  • geopolymer composites
  • circular economy

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 3918 KiB  
Article
Fayalite-Based Geopolymer Foam
by Aleksandar Nikolov, Mihail Tarassov, Ivan Rostovsky, Miryana Raykovska, Ivan Georgiev and Kinga Korniejenko
Ceramics 2025, 8(2), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics8020077 - 19 Jun 2025
Viewed by 252
Abstract
The present work is the first study exploring the potential of geopolymer foams based on fayalite slag, an industrial by-product, as the primary precursor, for lightweight and fireproof construction applications. The research involved the synthesis and characterization of geopolymer foams with varying water [...] Read more.
The present work is the first study exploring the potential of geopolymer foams based on fayalite slag, an industrial by-product, as the primary precursor, for lightweight and fireproof construction applications. The research involved the synthesis and characterization of geopolymer foams with varying water to solid ratio, followed by testing their physical and mechanical properties. The phase composition and microstructure of the obtained geopolymer foams were examined using powder XRD, Micro-CT and SEM. The geopolymer foams at optimal water to solid ratio (0.15) demonstrated 73.2% relative porosity, 0.92 g/cm3 apparent density and 1.3 MPa compressive strength. The use of an air-entraining admixture improved compressive strength to 2.8 MPa but lowered the relative porosity to 64.5%. Real-size lightweight panel (300 × 300 × 30 mm) specimens were prepared to measure thermal conductivity coefficient (0.243 W/mK) and evaluate size effect and the reaction to direct fire. This study demonstrates the successful preparation of geopolymer foam products containing 81% fayalite slag, highlighting its potential as a lightweight, insulating and fire-resistant material for sustainable construction applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Production Processes and Applications of Geopolymers, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

37 pages, 8780 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Self-Healing Geopolymer Concrete Incorporating Recycled Plastic, Brick Waste, and Bacillus sphaericus
by Tamer I. Ahmed, Ahmed S. Rashed and Dina E. Tobbala
Ceramics 2025, 8(2), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics8020072 - 17 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 399
Abstract
This research aims to develop self-healing geopolymer concrete (SHG) to address the limitations of conventional repair methods, including reduced thermal conductivity and density, while promoting sustainable construction. The incorporation of the self-healing method (SHM), crushed brick (CB), and minced water bottles (F-PET) resulted [...] Read more.
This research aims to develop self-healing geopolymer concrete (SHG) to address the limitations of conventional repair methods, including reduced thermal conductivity and density, while promoting sustainable construction. The incorporation of the self-healing method (SHM), crushed brick (CB), and minced water bottles (F-PET) resulted in reduced thermal conductivity, maintenance costs, and environmental impact. This study investigated the effects of varying amounts of CB, F-PET, and SHM on several properties, including flowability, setting times, densities, ductility index (DI), and mechanical strengths, across 13 different mixtures. Additionally, water absorption (WA%), residual weight loss (WL%), and relative dynamic modulus of elasticity (RDME%) were assessed following freeze–thaw cycles, alongside SEM analysis and thermal transport measurements of the SHG mixtures. The inclusion of up to 50% CB enhanced density and thermal conductivity but negatively affected other properties. In contrast, incorporating 25% F-PET led to modest improvements in mechanical, thermal, and durability properties; however, it did not reduce density and thermal conductivity as effectively as CB. Among the three mixtures containing both CB and F-PET, the formulation with 37.5% CB and 12.5% F-PET exhibited the lowest density (1650 kg/m3) and thermal conductivity (1.083 W/m·K). The self-healing capacity of SHM was demonstrated through its ability to close cracks, facilitated by the deposition of CaCO3 under combined durability conditions. Incorporating 2%, 3%, and 4% SHM into the 37.5% CB and 12.5% F-PET mixture significantly improved key properties, including strength, water absorption, freeze–thaw resistance, SEM characteristics, density, and thermal conductivity. The addition of 4% SHM enhanced the mechanical performance of the geopolymer concrete (GVC) after 28 days, resulting in increases of 27% in compressive strength, 40.5% in tensile strength, 81% in flexural strength, and 61.6% in ductility index. Further, the inclusion of SHM improved density, reduced WA% and WL%, and enhanced RDME% after 300 freeze–thaw cycles. Specifically, thermal conductivity decreased from 1.8 W/m·K to 0.88 W/m·K, and density reduced from 2480 kg/m3 to 1760 kg/m3. Meanwhile, WA%, WL%, and RDME% improved from 3%, 4.5%, and 45% to 2%, 2.5%, and 50%, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Production Processes and Applications of Geopolymers, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 7919 KiB  
Article
Recycling Face Mask Fibers in Geopolymer-Based Matrices for Sustainable Building Materials
by Roberto Ercoli, Paola Stabile, Elena Ossoli, Irene Luconi, Alberto Renzulli and Eleonora Paris
Ceramics 2025, 8(2), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics8020054 - 12 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 809
Abstract
This study investigates the upcycling of disposable face masks, which were produced in vast quantities during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now widely stockpiled in public institutions, destined for landfills after reaching expiration dates. The research focuses on incorporating shredded mask fibers into [...] Read more.
This study investigates the upcycling of disposable face masks, which were produced in vast quantities during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now widely stockpiled in public institutions, destined for landfills after reaching expiration dates. The research focuses on incorporating shredded mask fibers into geopolymer matrices, evaluating the effects on mechanical and thermal properties to develop sustainable, high-performance materials. This approach addresses critical environmental, social, and economic challenges by transforming problematic waste into valuable resources while promoting sustainable building practices, such as developing insulating products for the construction industry. Mechanical testing demonstrated that adding shredded mask fibers (2 mm and 6 mm in size, up to 5 wt.%) enhanced the flexural strength of geopolymeric products. The optimal performance was achieved by adding 3 wt.% of 2 mm-length fibers, resulting in a flexural strength of 4.56 ± 0.23 MPa. Regarding compressive strength, the highest value (54.78 ± 2.08 MPa) was recorded in geopolymers containing 1 wt.% of 2 mm fibers. Thermal insulation properties of the materials improved with higher mask content, as evidenced by reductions in thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and specific heat. The lowest thermal conductivity values were observed in geopolymers containing 5 wt.% (0.4346 ± 0.0043 W·m−1·K−1) and 3 wt.% (0.6514 ± 0.0002 W·m−1·K−1) of 2 mm mask fibers. To further enhance thermal insulation, geopolymers with 5 wt.% mask fibers were foamed using H2O2 to obtain highly porous light materials, obtaining a reduction of thermal conductivity (0.3456 and 0.3710 ± 0.0007 W·m−1·K−1). This research highlights the potential of integrating fibrous waste materials into advanced construction technologies, offering solutions for waste reduction and development in the building sector toward sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Production Processes and Applications of Geopolymers, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

24 pages, 1901 KiB  
Review
Limitations and Research Priorities in 3D-Printed Geopolymer Concrete: A Perspective Contribution
by Jyotirmoy Mishra, Adewumi John Babafemi and Riaan Combrinck
Ceramics 2025, 8(2), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics8020047 - 30 Apr 2025
Viewed by 969
Abstract
Several studies have demonstrated that 3D-printed geopolymer concrete (3DPGPC) could be a sustainable solution to minimising waste, carbon emissions, and production costs, thereby providing quick completion of construction projects. However, for 3DPGPC to be widely adopted, it is essential to be aware of [...] Read more.
Several studies have demonstrated that 3D-printed geopolymer concrete (3DPGPC) could be a sustainable solution to minimising waste, carbon emissions, and production costs, thereby providing quick completion of construction projects. However, for 3DPGPC to be widely adopted, it is essential to be aware of both the prospects as well as the limitations. In this regard, the scope of this perspective article includes a review of the limitations of 3DPGPC. Key limitations regarding the material, structural, technical, economic, and environmental aspects of 3DPGPC are highlighted. Additionally, this article includes the general limitations associated with geopolymer concrete. As such, geopolymer concrete suffers from several problems owing to varying alkaline activators and precursor types while exhibiting performance variability even within the same type of precursor. These limitations need to be addressed first in order to make progress in 3DPGPC. Following the limitations, this article then presents the research priorities in 3DPGPC, such as the need for a standardised code for its adoption in infrastructure projects. Hence, the information presented in this article is timely and crucial for all stakeholders in the low-carbon community. Furthermore, it serves as a call for future research to overcome the discussed limitations to realise the full potential of 3DPGPC technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Production Processes and Applications of Geopolymers, 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop