Prof. Joseph Davidovits presents the road map for the next couple of years on geopolymer science innovation and research, at the 2nd International Congress on Ceramics, Verona, Italy, July 4th, 2008. Watch the video on Vimeo.
There is a great need for innovation and therefore further research must be carried out. We have listed below the topics that deserve further involvement in the field of chemistry, physical-chemistry, materials science, and others. These needs are outlined in Davidovits’ book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications, generally at the end of the chapter dedicated to the topic, and are given in the list.
We hope that this initiative will minimize the number of scientific papers and conference communications that are simply re-inventing the wheel, i.e. replicate studies and research already performed by others, sometimes several decades ago, and outlined in the reference book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications.
The GeopolymerCamp is the opportunity to prepare the new edition of the book Geopolymer Chemistry & Applications. Indeed, the Geopolymer Institute wishes to publish every year a new revised edition with the most up to date information. During this session, participants will propose subjects or issues that are worthwhile to be edited or added, and the assembly will discuss about it. Prepare your arguments if you want to see your last research, data, applications be added to this reference book.
Research topics:
Chapter 2: Polymeric character of geopolymers: geopolymeric micelle
“Further research is needed to provide scientific tools for the determination of several physical parameters such as overall dimension and molecular weight.”
Let physicochemical research institutions confirm covalent bonding system. Determine the molecular weight of the geopolymer micelle, a nanosized particulate detected by W. Kriven in 2003.
Chapter 5: Poly(siloxonate), soluble silicate (waterglass)
“The standard industrial silicates are mixtures of several silicate species (…) Any changes in the industrial fabrication parameters will strongly affect the nominal mixture composition and the geopolymeric properties of the soluble silicates obtained with these glasses (…) Nevertheless, researchers in geopolymer science should always keep in mind these data when developing tailored industrial geopolymer applications (…) Further research on this important topic will probably provide additional 3-D structures connected with the solid rings and polygons disclosed in Figure 5.9. (…) Further research is needed on this crucial technology.”
Let modify and master the manufacture process in order to get uniformity and quality control on the molecular sizes of Na-poly(siloxonate), K-poly(siloxonate) (soluble silicate).
Chapter 8: Metakaolin MK-750-based geopolymer
“In general, (Na,K)–poly(sialate-siloxo) is not made of single polymeric macromolecules but consists of a mixture, a solid solution, of at least two well defined geopolymers with different Si:Al ratios. The standardized methods of investigation, like 29Si and 27Al NMR spectroscopy, are not sophisticated enough for the detection and separation of these different macromolecules. Future research is necessary. (…) The identification of Al-O-Al bonding in geopolymers has been confirmed by 17O MAS-NMR spectroscopy as the one displayed in Figure 8.24… The effect seems to diminish with the increase of the Si:Al ratio, when oligo-siloxonate molecules, Q0 , Q1 and Q2 types are added to the geopolymeric reactant mixture. Further research is needed.”