Geopolymerization of Alkali-Activated Materials
Summary
Geopolymerisation describes the formation of inorganic polymeric networks through the reaction of aluminosilicate precursors with alkaline activators. In alkali-activated materials, industrial by-products such as fly ash, blast furnace slag or metakaolin supply the silica and alumina required for the process, while solutions of sodium or potassium hydroxide and silicate initiate dissolution of the solid phases. Dissolved species reorganise into a three-dimensional network of aluminosilicate gels—most commonly referred to as N-A-S-H (sodium aluminosilicate hydrate) or C-A-S-H (calcium aluminosilicate hydrate)—depending on the calcium content of the precursor. The resulting binders exhibit rapid strength gain at moderate curing temperatures, superior chemical resistance and a markedly lower carbon footprint compared with ordinary Portland cement. Ongoing research seeks to optimise the chemistry of activator solutions, tailoring precursor blends and curing regimes to enhance mechanical performance, durability under aggressive environments and scalability for industrial applications. These materials hold global significance in sustainable construction, waste valorisation and reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions.
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Geopolymerization of Alkali-Activated Materials publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in geopolymerization of alkali-activated materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Geopolymerisation: Chemical transformation of aluminosilicate precursors into an inorganic polymer network under alkaline conditions.
Alkali-Activated Materials (AAM): Inorganic binders formed by reacting aluminosilicate sources with alkaline activator solutions.
Aluminosilicate: Mineral or industrial by-product rich in aluminium and silicon oxides, serving as the primary geopolymer precursor.
Activator Solution: Mixture of alkali hydroxides and silicates that dissolves the precursor and promotes network formation.
N-A-S-H gel: Sodium aluminosilicate hydrate, the principal binding phase in low-calcium geopolymers.
Curing: Controlled maintenance of temperature and humidity to facilitate geopolymerisation and strength gain.
References
- Effect of Acid and Thermo-Mechanical Attacks on Compressive Strength of Geopolymer Mortar with Different Eco-Friendly Materials. Sustainability (2023).
- Effect of Curing Temperature, Activator Solution Composition and Particle Size in Brazilian Fly-Ash Based Geopolymer Production. Materials Research (2019).
- Characteristics of Waste Iron Powder as a Fine Filler in a High-Calcium Fly Ash Geopolymer. Materials (2021).
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