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Advances in Microstructure and Sustainability of Geopolymers and Alkali Activated...
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Advances in Microstructure and Sustainability of Geopolymers and Alkali Activated Materials

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 1237

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Shima Pilehvar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering, Ostfold University College, NO-1757 Halden, Norway
Interests: sustainable materials; geopolymer composites; waste materials management; 3D printing; additive manufacturing; microstructure; coating; concrete; cement; construction materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mahdi Kioumarsi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Built Environment, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
2. Department of Engineering, Ostfold University College, Fredrikstad, Norway
Interests: sustainable concrete; durability; corrosion; concrete technology; reinforced concrete structures; remaining service life of concrete structures; structural engineering; finite element analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Davoud Tavakoli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, KU Leuven University, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
Interests: construction and building materials; concrete technology; sustainable materials; computational materials science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the construction industry increasingly focuses on sustainability, geopolymers and alkali-activated materials offer viable alternatives to traditional cement, significantly reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption. This Special Issue will explore the latest advancements in these materials, providing a platform for researchers to share their innovative findings and applications.

This Special Issue will present comprehensive research on the microstructural evolution, sustainability, and innovative applications of geopolymers and alkali-activated materials. It seeks to highlight significant progress in understanding the fundamental properties of these materials, improving their performance, and expanding their applications.

We invite you to contribute to our Special Issue on "Advances in Microstructure and Sustainability of Geopolymers and Alkali Activated Materials", publishing in Materials.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original research articles and reviews that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Microstructural analysis and characterization techniques;
  • Mechanical and thermal properties;
  • Durability and environmental resistance;
  • Sustainable applications in construction and infrastructure;
  • Recycling of industrial by-products and waste materials;
  • Advanced testing and analytical methods;
  • Computational methods and modeling approaches for geopolymer materials;
  • Applications of geopolymers in soil and geotechnical engineering;
  • Three-dimensional printing with geopolymers;
  • Artistic and restoration applications of geopolymers;
  • Nanomaterials for enhancing geopolymer properties.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Shima Pilehvar
Dr. Mahdi Kioumarsi
Dr. Davoud Tavakoli
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. 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
  • alkali-activated materials
  • sustainable construction
  • microstructure
  • CO2 reduction
  • mechanical properties
  • durability
  • recycling
  • industrial by-products

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 2458 KiB  
Article
Effects of w/b Ratio on Sodium Sulfate Crystallization Damage and Degradation Mechanisms in Semi-Immersed Alkali-Activated Slag Mortar
by Zhenwei Zhou, Yuetao Qiu, Peng Liu, Jianxiong Ye, Kunpeng Yin, Linwen Yu and Changhui Yang
Materials 2025, 18(13), 2988; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18132988 - 24 Jun 2025
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Abstract
This study investigates the long-term durability and crystallization-induced degradation mechanisms of alkali-activated slag (AAS) mortars with varying water-to-binder ratios (w/b, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5) under semi-immersion in 5 wt.% sodium sulfate solution. Through 360 d of exposure, the evolution of physical–mechanical properties (mass change, [...] Read more.
This study investigates the long-term durability and crystallization-induced degradation mechanisms of alkali-activated slag (AAS) mortars with varying water-to-binder ratios (w/b, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5) under semi-immersion in 5 wt.% sodium sulfate solution. Through 360 d of exposure, the evolution of physical–mechanical properties (mass change, open porosity, compressive/flexural strength) and ion migration patterns (SO42−, Na+, Ca2+) were analyzed to unravel the interplay between pore structure, ion transport, and crystallization-induced deterioration. Results demonstrated that higher w/b ratios exacerbated surface crystallization and spalling due to accelerated ion transport and pore coarsening. Early-stage strength gains (up to 25.15% at 120–180 d) stemmed from pore refinement via sulfate deposition and continued slag hydration. However, prolonged exposure triggered microstructural degradation, with open porosity increasing by 58.9% and strength declining by 30.6% at 360 d for a w/b of 0.5 compared to a w/b of 0.4. This was driven by crystallization pressure and the decalcification of hydration products. Ion migration analysis revealed SO42− enrichment in evaporation area and outward Na+ diffusion, establishing supersaturation gradients that aligned with crystallization damage progression. These findings provide critical insights for optimizing AAS mortar formulations to mitigate sulfate crystallization risks in semi-immersed environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Microstructure and Sustainability of Geopolymers and Alkali Activated Materials)
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29 pages, 2455 KiB  
Article
Geopolymer Concretes with Organic Phase Change Materials—Analysis of Thermal Properties and Microstructure
by Agnieszka Przybek, Michał Łach, Paulina Romańska, Justyna Ciemnicka, Karol Prałat and Artur Koper
Materials 2025, 18(11), 2557; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18112557 - 29 May 2025
Viewed by 501
Abstract
Geopolymer concretes, synthesized from industrial by-products such as fly ash through alkaline activation, have attracted considerable attention due to their favorable thermal and microstructural properties. Incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) into geopolymer matrices can improve thermal properties, making them suitable for various sustainable [...] Read more.
Geopolymer concretes, synthesized from industrial by-products such as fly ash through alkaline activation, have attracted considerable attention due to their favorable thermal and microstructural properties. Incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) into geopolymer matrices can improve thermal properties, making them suitable for various sustainable construction applications. The thermal properties of geopolymer concrete depend on the composition and structure of the materials used. Adding PCMs to geopolymer concrete can significantly improve its thermal properties by increasing its heat storage capacity. PCMs absorb and release thermal energy during phase transformations, which can help regulate temperature fluctuations in building materials. This feature is particularly beneficial in regions with extreme temperature fluctuations, where maintaining a stable indoor climate is crucial. Integrating organic PCMs into geopolymer matrices has been shown to improve thermal insulation. Furthermore, the microstructural analysis of geopolymer concrete containing organic PCM indicates that incorporating these materials can lead to a more homogeneous and denser microstructure. Integrating organic PCMs instead of inorganic into geopolymer concrete is a promising route to improve thermal properties and microstructural stability. The combination of geopolymer technology with PCM not only contributes to the sustainable development of building materials but also addresses the challenges of temperature regulation in buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Microstructure and Sustainability of Geopolymers and Alkali Activated Materials)
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