Use of Geopolymers for Environmental Sustainability

Year : 2025 | Volume : 13 | Special Issue 02 | Page : 35 43
    By

    Vikas Bagga,

  • Chadetrik Rout,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India
  2. Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India

Abstract

Geopolymers are a rapidly growing matter with enormous potential for improving environmental sustainability in the construction sector. This study highlights the use of geopolymers as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional building materials, with special emphasis on their role in reducing the environmental effect of construction operations. It also focuses on the chemical composition, mechanical characteristics, environmental sustainability, etc. of geopolymers, along with their benefits over conventional materials such as portland cement. Key themes covered include the use of industrial byproducts and waste materials in geopolymer manufacture, lowering carbon emissions associated with concrete manufacturing, and improving structural durability and lifecycle with geopolymers. Furthermore, it looks into the economic feasibility and scalability, evaluating its potential to transform the building sector while achieving sustainable development goals. This study seeks to convey useful insights into various benefits of geopolymers for environmental sustainability by conducting a thorough survey of current literature and research findings, paving the path for their wider acceptance in construction practices.

Keywords: Geopolymers, sustainability, waste management, carbon footprint, life cycle assessment, circular economy.

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer and Composites (jopc)]

aWQ6MTk0NzkyfGZpbGVuYW1lOjljZDFkMDc0LWZpLXBuZy53ZWJwfHNpemU6dGh1bWJuYWls
How to cite this article:
Vikas Bagga, Chadetrik Rout. Use of Geopolymers for Environmental Sustainability. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(02):35-43.
How to cite this URL:
Vikas Bagga, Chadetrik Rout. Use of Geopolymers for Environmental Sustainability. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(02):35-43. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=194798


Browse Figures

References

[1] Wu Y, Lu B, Bai T, et al. Geopolymer, green alkali activated cementitious material: Synthesis, applications and challenges. Constr. Build. Mater. 2019;224:930-9p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.112

[2] Kong DL, Sanjayan JG, Sagoe-Crentsil K. Factors affecting the performance of metakaolin geopolymers exposed to elevated temperatures. J. Mater. Sci. 2008;43:824-31p. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-007-2205-6

[3] Hossain SS, Roy PK, Bae CJ. Utilization of waste rice husk ash for sustainable geopolymer: A review. Constr. Build. Mater. 2021;310:125218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125218

[4] Mehta A, Siddique R. An overview of geopolymers derived from industrial by-products. Constr. Build. Mater. 2016;127:183-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.09.136

[5] He R, Dai N, Wang Z. Thermal and mechanical properties of geopolymers exposed to high temperature: a literature review. Adv. Civ. Eng. 2020;2020:1-7p. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/7532703

[6] Cong P, Cheng Y. Advances in geopolymer materials: A comprehensive review. J. Traffic Transp. Eng. (Engl. Ed.). 2021;8(3):283-314p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.02.009

[7] Amran M, Debbarma S, Ozbakkaloglu T. Fly ash-based eco-friendly geopolymer concrete: A critical review of the long-term durability properties. Constr. Build. Mater. 2021;270:121857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121857

[8] Coffetti D, Crotti E, Gazzaniga G, et al. Pathways towards sustainable concrete. Cem. Concr. Res. 2022;154:106718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2022.106718

[9] Le VS, Louda P, Tran HN, et al. Study on temperature-dependent properties and fire resistance of metakaolin-based geopolymer foams. Polymers. 2020;12(12):2994. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12122994

[10] Jia D, He P, Wang M, et al. Geopolymer and geopolymer matrix composites. Singapore: Springer; 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9536-3

[11] Shehata N, Mohamed OA, Sayed ET, et al. Geopolymer concrete as green building materials: Recent applications, sustainable development and circular economy potentials. Sci. Total Environ. 2022;836:155577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155577

[12] Sorvari J, Wahlström M. Industrial by-products. In Handbook of Recycling 2024 (259-85p.). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85514-3.00044-0

[13] Van Deventer JS, Provis JL, Duxson P. Technical and commercial progress in the adoption of geopolymer cement. Miner. Eng. 2012;29:89-104p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2011.09.009

[14] Kryvenko P, Rudenko I, Sikora P, et al. Alkali-activated cements as sustainable materials for repairing building construction: a review. J. Build. Eng. 2024;90:109399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.109399

[15] Mohajerani A, Suter D, Jeffrey-Bailey T, et al. Recycling waste materials in geopolymer concrete. Clean Technol. Environ. Policy. 2019;21:493-515. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-018-01660-2

[16] Zhao J, Tong L, Li B, et al. Eco-friendly geopolymer materials: A review of performance improvement, potential application and sustainability assessment. J. Clean. Prod. 2021;307:127085. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127085

[17] Lingyu T, Dongpo H, Jianing Z, et al. Durability of geopolymers and geopolymer concretes: A review. Rev. Adv. Mater. Sci. 2021;60(1):1-4p. https://doi.org/10.1515/rams-2021-0002

[18] Revathi T, Vanitha N, Jeyalakshmi R, et al. Adoption of alkali-activated cement-based binders (geopolymers) from industrial by-products for sustainable construction of utility buildings-A field demonstration. J. Build. Eng. 2022;52:104450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104450

[19] Sagoe-Crentsil K, De Silva P. Alkali-activated binders: Early age nucleation reactions, chemical phase evolution and their implications on system properties. J. Chin. Ceram. Soc. 2015;43(10):1449-57. https://doi.org/10.14062/j.issn.0454-5648.2015.10.15

[20] Provis JL, Lukey GC, Van Deventer JS. Do geopolymers actually contain nanocrystalline zeolites? A reexamination of existing results. Chem. Mater. 2005;17(12):3075-85. https://doi.org/10.1021/cm050230i

[21] Sotelo-Piña C, Aguilera-González EN, Martínez-Luévanos A. Geopolymers: Past, Present, and Future of Low Carbon Footprint Eco-Materials. In: Martínez L, Kharissova O, Kharisov B, editors. Handbook of Ecomaterials. Springer Cham; 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48281-1_54-1

[22] Lemougna PN, Wang KT, Tang Q, et al. Recent developments on inorganic polymers synthesis and applications. Ceram. Int. 2016;42(14):15142-59p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.07.027

[23] Krishna RS, Mishra J, Zribi M, et al. A review on developments of environmentally friendly geopolymer technology. Materialia. 2021;20:101212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtla.2021.101212

[24] Gharzouni A, Ouamara L, Sobrados I, et al. Alkali-activated materials from different aluminosilicate sources: Effect of aluminum and calcium availability. J. Non-Cryst. Solids. 2018;484:14-25p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2018.01.014

[25] Provis JL, Bernal SA. Geopolymers and related alkali-activated materials. Annu. Rev. Mater. Res. 2014;44:299-327p. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-matsci-070813-113515

[26] Nodehi M, Taghvaee VM. Alkali-activated materials and geopolymer: a review of common precursors and activators addressing circular economy. CES. 2022;2(1):165-96p. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-021-00029-w

[27] John SK, Nadir Y, Girija K. Effect of source materials, additives on the mechanical properties and durability of fly ash and fly ash-slag geopolymer mortar: A review. Constr. Build. Mater. 2021;280:122443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122443

[28] Anburuvel A. The role of activators in geopolymer-based stabilization for road construction: a state-of-the-art review. Multiscale Multidiscip. Model. Exp. Des. 2023;6(1):41-59p. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41939-022-00139-4

[29] Raza MH, Khan M, Zhong RY. Investigating the impact of alkaline activator on the sustainability potential of geopolymer and alternative hybrid materials. Mater. Today Sustain. 2024;26:100742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtsust.2024.100742

[30] Davidovits J. Geopolymers: Ceramic-like inorganic polymers. J. Ceram. Sci. Technol. 2017;8(3):335-50p. https://doi.org/10.4416/JCST2017-00038

[31] Ling Y, Wang K, Wang X, et al. Effects of mix design parameters on heat of geopolymerization, set time, and compressive strength of high calcium fly ash geopolymer. Constr. Build. Mater. 2019;228:116763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.116763

[32] Kumar S, Kumar R. Geopolymer: Cement for low carbon economy. Indian Concr. J. 2014;88(7):29-37p.

[33] Almutairi AL, Tayeh BA, Adesina A, et al. Potential applications of geopolymer concrete in construction: A review. Case Stud. Constr. Mater. 2021;15:e00733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2021.e00733

[34] Saeed A, Najm HM, Hassan A, et al. Properties and applications of geopolymer composites: a review study of mechanical and microstructural properties. Materials. 2022;15(22):8250. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15228250

[35] Nergis DB, Abdullah MM, Vizureanu P, et al. Geopolymers and their uses. In IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng. 2018 (Vol. 374, p. 012019). https://doi:10.1088/1757-899X/374/1/012019

[36] Davidovits J. Geopolymer Chemistry and Application Saint-Quentin: Institut Geopolymere. Institut Géopolymère: Saint-Quentin, France. 2015.

[37] Provis JL. Geopolymers and other alkali activated materials: why, how, and what?. Mater. Struct. 2014;47:11-25p. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-013-0211-5

[38] Duxson P, Provis JL, Lukey GC, et al. The role of inorganic polymer technology in the development of ‘green concrete’. Cem. Concr. Res. 2007;37(12):1590-7p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2007.08.018

[39] Díaz EE, Barrios VA. Development and use of geopolymers for energy conversion: An overview. Constr. Build. Mater. 2022;315:125774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125774

[40] Komnitsas K, Zaharaki D. Geopolymerisation: A review and prospects for the minerals industry. Miner. Eng. 2007;20(14):1261-77p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2007.07.011

[41] Chindaprasit P, Pacheco-Torgal F, Labrincha J, et al. editors. Handbook of alkali-activated cements, mortars and concretes. Elsevier; 2014.

[42] Ren B, Zhao Y, Bai H, et al. Eco-friendly geopolymer prepared from solid wastes: A critical review. Chemosphere. 2021;267:128900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128900

[43] Zhang Z, Provis JL, Reid A, et al. Geopolymer foam concrete: An emerging material for sustainable construction. Constr. Build. Mater. 2014;56:113-27p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.01.081

[44] Passuello A, Rodríguez ED, Hirt E, et al. Evaluation of the potential improvement in the environmental footprint of geopolymers using waste-derived activators. J. Clean. Prod. 2017;166:680-9p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.08.007

[45] Duxson P, Provis JL. Designing precursors for geopolymer cements. J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 2008;91(12):3864-9p. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1551-2916.2008.02787.x

[46] Wong LS. Durability performance of geopolymer concrete: A review. Polymers. 2022;14(5):868. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14050868

[47] Duxson P, Fernández-Jiménez A, Provis JL, et al. Geopolymer technology: the current state of the art. J. Mater. Sci. 2007;42:2917-33p. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-006-0637-z

[48] Nilimaa J. Smart materials and technologies for sustainable concrete construction. Dev. Built Environ. 2023;25:100177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2023.100177

[49] Garg R, Chhikara R, Singh R, et al. A qualitative study to understand the factors affecting the adoption of glass fiber-reinforced gypsum (GFRG) as a sustainable building technology: insights from Indian construction industry. Constr. Innov. 2021;21(2):321-44p. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-12-2019-0153

[50] Bataille C, Åhman M, Neuhoff K, et al. A review of technology and policy deep decarbonization pathway options for making energy-intensive industry production consistent with the Paris Agreement. J. Clean. Prod. 2018;187:960-73p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.107


Special Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 13
Special Issue 02
Received 18/05/2024
Accepted 13/06/2024
Published 20/01/2025
Publication Time 247 Days


Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics