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Research on Geopolymers: Synthesis Methods, Manufacturing Process, Properties and Applications
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Research on Geopolymers: Synthesis Methods, Manufacturing Process, Properties and Applications

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymeric Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 4152

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Khandaker Muhammed Anwar Hossain

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Interests: sustainable construction materials; high performance concrete; self-consolidating concrete; geopolymer-based green zero cement concrete; multi-functional composites; smart structural systems/applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Geopolymers are inorganic polymers that have received considerable attention in recent years for their potential applications in various fields such as construction, waste management and aerospace. Researchers have conducted studies on their synthesis methods, manufacturing processes and applications. Common synthesis methods include utilizing various raw materials such as fly ash, slag and metakaolin, and activating these materials with alkaline solutions. Manufacturing processes for geopolymers include techniques such as traditional casting and thermal curing, as well as alternative methods such as 3D printing and extrusion. Geopolymer-based materials play an important role in the construction industry, waste management and more.

Current research on geopolymers still faces issues such as material performance optimization, production performance optimization and application scope expansion. Researchers need to find more available raw materials and develop new raw materials, further optimize the material formula and preparation process, and improve the production process. To improve geopolymer performance, further research and development of applications is needed in other fields such as structural materials, underground storage, environmental protection, etc.

We invite you to submit high-quality research or review papers to this Special Issue, focusing on various aspects such as synthesis methods,  manufacturing process and mix design, waste optimization,  nano-material incorporation,  fresh-state–mechanical–durability properties, multi-functional characteristics (self-healing, self-sensing, 3D printing, etc.), applications (in construction, rehabilitation and monitoring of structures and other infrastructures) and life-cycle modeling.    

Prof. Dr. Khandaker Muhammed Anwar Hossain
Guest Editor

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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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

  • geopolymers
  • inorganic polymer
  • construction
  • waste management
  • manufacturing processes
  • mechanical properties
  • durability
  • multi-functional characteristics
  • 3D printing
  • 3D printing
  • life-cycle modeling

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

32 pages, 101984 KiB  
Article
Studying the Impact of Cement-Based and Geopolymer Concrete on the Proliferation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in Water-Related Applications
by Beata Figiela, Bożena Tyliszczak, Magdalena Bańkosz, Aleksandar Nikolov and Kinga Korniejenko
Materials 2025, 18(11), 2560; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18112560 - 29 May 2025
Viewed by 416
Abstract
The main aim of this research was to synthesize the new geopolymer composite and test its antibacterial properties. The new composites are based on a geopolymer matrix, with the addition of carbon fiber, nano-silica and antibacterial nanopowder. The first stage of this research [...] Read more.
The main aim of this research was to synthesize the new geopolymer composite and test its antibacterial properties. The new composites are based on a geopolymer matrix, with the addition of carbon fiber, nano-silica and antibacterial nanopowder. The first stage of this research was the synthesis of geopolymer composites containing variable proportions of nano-additives and, as a reference material, cement. The next step was bacterial cultivation. Two different bacterial strains were selected, Gram-positive and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus). In this stage, the agar microbiological medium is used for the evaluation of bacterial growth inhibition by cement and geopolymers. In the final stage, the growth of the colony was observed and the pH measurements were taken. The final assessment of efficiency was made by using optical microscopy and a colony counter based on the Petri dish. The test performed showed that the main mineralogical components are quartz, 55.0%, and mullite, with 42.1% of crystalline ingredients. EDS analysis shows that the main oxide component is SiO2, about 50.9%. The obtained results connected with bacteria growth show the growth of both types of bacteria on materials; however, after several days, the growth was inhibited. An assessment of microorganism growth inhibition by cement and geopolymers shows the better efficiency of geopolymer composites in this area for both types of colonies (Gram-positive and Gram-negative). The new element in this research was to plan the research from the point of view of its application in the water environment. The provided research can be useful for the inhibition of biofouling phenomena on marine and inland water infrastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Geopolymers: Synthesis Methods, Manufacturing Process, Properties and Applications)
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23 pages, 95742 KiB  
Article
Research on the Physical Properties of an Eco-Friendly Layered Geopolymer Composite
by Agnieszka Przybek and Michał Łach
Materials 2024, 17(19), 4937; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17194937 - 9 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1656
Abstract
Building envelopes with natural fibers are the future of sustainable construction, combining ecology and energy efficiency. The geopolymer building envelope was reinforced with innovative composite bars and two types of natural insulation (coconut mats and flax/hemp non-woven fabrics) were used as the core [...] Read more.
Building envelopes with natural fibers are the future of sustainable construction, combining ecology and energy efficiency. The geopolymer building envelope was reinforced with innovative composite bars and two types of natural insulation (coconut mats and flax/hemp non-woven fabrics) were used as the core material. A 10 mol sodium hydroxide solution with an aqueous sodium silicate solution was used for the alkaline activation of the geopolymers. The purpose of this study was to confirm the feasibility of producing geopolymer composites with insulating layers made of renewable materials, which would have compressive strengths like those of C25/30-grade concrete and thermal conductivity coefficients like those of lightweight concrete. This publication presents the results of physicochemical tests on the base materials (oxide (XRF) and mineral phase (XRD) analysis as well as morphology and EDS) and studies the physical (density measurements), mechanical (flexural and compressive strength tests) and insulating properties (thermal conductivity measurements) of the finished sandwich partitions. The composites achieved a flexural strength of 7 MPa, a compressive strength of up to 30 MPa and a decrease in the thermal conductivity coefficient of about 60%. The research demonstrates contribution to sustainable construction by developing geopolymer composites, offering both structural integrity and superior thermal insulation. This innovation not only reduces reliance on traditional, carbon-intensive materials but also promotes the use of eco-friendly resources, significantly lowering the carbon footprint of construction. The integration of natural fibers into geopolymer matrices addresses key environmental concerns, advancing a rapidly growing field that aligns with global efforts toward energy efficiency, waste reduction, and circular economy principles in building design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Geopolymers: Synthesis Methods, Manufacturing Process, Properties and Applications)
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20 pages, 4130 KiB  
Article
Compositions and Microstructures of Carbonated Geopolymers with Different Precursors
by Zhuguo Li and Ko Ikeda
Materials 2024, 17(7), 1491; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17071491 - 25 Mar 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1323
Abstract
It is thought that geopolymers are easy to carbonate, especially when they are cured in ambient temperatures. Matrix gel’s composition and microstructure, and new products of geopolymers (GPs) after carbonation were investigated in this study on the basis of XRD and SEM-EDS measurements [...] Read more.
It is thought that geopolymers are easy to carbonate, especially when they are cured in ambient temperatures. Matrix gel’s composition and microstructure, and new products of geopolymers (GPs) after carbonation were investigated in this study on the basis of XRD and SEM-EDS measurements and ternary diagram analysis, which were prepared from low-lime fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) alone or a blend, as a precursor. The specimens were hardened in a 20 °C environment with alkali activator solution (S/N = 1.1 in mole), followed by storage under sealing or accelerated carbonation. XRD patterns show that carbonation products were nahcolite for the sole FA-based GP and calcite for the GPs using GGBS alone or as a blend. The SEM images of carbonated samples show that there were cube-shaped calcite and small calcite particles in the GGBS-based GP, but hail-like particles in the FA/GGBS blend-based GP. The hail-like particles were complexes of calcite and C-A-S-H gels determined by ternary diagram analysis, and were found to plug the top of the pores of the spongy C-A-S-H gels. We also confirmed that combined ternary diagram analysis of S-(C + M + N)-A and A-(C + M)-N are very effective in determining the gel type of a geopolymer, as well as the products and compositional changes after carbonation, in which oxide components of gels are determined by SEM-EDS. In the former diagram, C-A-S-H gels were plotted linearly along the (C + M + N)-albite (Ab) join, while N-A-S-H gels showed a scattered distribution. In the latter diagram, the plots for N-A-S-H and C-A-S-H gels are distributed in different zones. N = Na2O, C = CaO, M = MgO, A = Al2O3, S = SiO2, H = H2O. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Geopolymers: Synthesis Methods, Manufacturing Process, Properties and Applications)
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