The Virtual Journal on Geopolymer Science is a collection of already published research papers, curated by us, all relating to geopolymers. We intend to publish at least four issues per year, each issue being dedicated to a special theme. This critical review is the follow-up of the first issue, a feature article titled Environmental implications of Geopolymers, online on 29 June 2015. It has been written in compliance with a decision of Elsevier and Geopolymer Institute to join forces, distill and distribute the best research publications contained in their combined archives, through a series of Elsevier-Geopolymer Institute Virtual Special Issues on Geopolymer Science.

Much of the original research into geopolymers was conducted on calcined kaolinitic clay precursors known under the generic term of metakaolin. Although metakaolin reacts in alkaline as well as in acidic medium, the present issue focusses exclusively on the alkaline route on natural and synthetic metakaolin.

False Values on CO₂ Emission for Geopolymer Cement/Concrete Published in Scientific Papers

Adapted from the article originally published in Elsevier’s internet site “Materials Today” at Environmental Implications of Geopolymers, 29 June 2015. See also the presentation at the Geopolymer Camp 2015. See also the news Virtual Journal on Geopolymer Science .

LCA of commercialised geopolymer cement/concretes are seldom. This is due to proprietary reasons. Presently they are based on Type 2 slag/fly ash/alkali-silicate system (see Technical papers #21, #22, #23 in the Library). Geopolymer Type 2 concrete and standard Portland concrete are similar in non- binder materials used and behaviour after production; there is some dilution of the benefits when measured over the full life cycle (LCA). The greenhouse gas emissions during the life cycle of Geopolymer Type 2 concrete are approximately 62%-66% lower than emissions from the reference concrete. The Type 2 geopolymer cement has ca. 80% lower embodied greenhouse gas intensity than an equivalent amount of ordinary Portland cement binder used in reference concrete of a similar strength, confirming the data published by the Geopolymer Institute, where the reductions are in the range of 70 % to 90 % (see Technical paper #21). These values do not include any additional external constraints like transport from or to the utility. They reflect the actual potential as soon as industrialization starts in full swing.

On the opposite, several published scientific LCA papers claim that, in terms of CO₂ emission, geopolymer cement was not better than Portland cement, and worse for other parameters. These statements are based on methodological errors and false calculations of the CO₂ emission values for geopolymer cement/concrete. The problem is that these false values are taken for granted by other scientists without any further consideration.

The present paper “False Values on CO₂ Emission for Geopolymer Cement/Concrete Published in Scientific Papers” cites and explains the methodological errors and false calculations.

Click here to see how to download paper nr 24 False-CO2-values.pdf.

Last year (October 14, 2014), our News was titled 70,000 tonnes Geopolymer Concrete for airport; it presented company Wagners’ newly developed geopolymer concrete EFC in the construction of the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport (BWWA), Toowoomba, Australia, which became fully operational with commercial flights operated by Qantas Link in November 2014. BWWA was built with approximately 40,000 m3 (100,000 tonnes) of geopolymer concrete making it the largest application of this new class of concrete in the world. The geopolymer concrete, known as Earth Friendly Concrete (EFC), was found to be well suited for this construction method due to its high flexural tensile strength, low shrinkage and workability characteristics. Heavy duty geopolymer concrete, 435 mm thick, was used for the turning node, apron and taxiway aircraft pavements, and cast in place with the slip form paving machine displayed below.

EFC Geopolymer Concrete Aircraft Pavements at Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport.

by Tom Glasby, John Day, Russell Genrich and James Aldred.

Paper presented at Concrete 2015 Conference, Melbourne Australia 2015.

CONTENT
1. Introduction
2. Project Outline
3. Geopolymer Concrete Mix
4. Geopolymer Concrete Production and Supply
5. Geopolymer Concrete Pavement Construction
6. Commercialisation of Geopolymer Concrete
7. Conclusion
References

Click here to see how to download paper nr 23 GP-AIRPORT.

Solid-Phase Synthesis of a Mineral Blockpolymer by Low Temperature Polycondensation

of Alumino-Silicate Polymers: Na-poly(sialate) or Na-PS and Characteristics .

Joseph DAVIDOVITS

INTRODUCTION

The work exposed here comes from an attempt to transfer our knowledge of organic polymers and the technologies associated with it to the yet unknown, or hardly known field of the synthesis and transformation of inorganic polymers, in order to develop new materials and new industrial processes. It is a matter of fact that inorganic materials like glass, ceramics, bricks, concrete, and most natural rocks by far outclass organic polymers with respect to their resistance to high temperature. This study provides an answer to the following question: Could we take mineral materials such as clay, kaolinite, that is to say aluminosilicate polymers, and transform them using the extreme low-temperature polymerisation technology of organic polymers ?”.The answer is : yes, we can. The resulting products have similar characteristics to natural rock‑forming minerals, such as zeolites, feldspathoids and feldspars. These different minerals are usually called silicates or aluminosilicates in the same way as kaolinite, clays, micas, mullite, andalusite, spinel, etc. that is in brief all the minerals whose empirical formula contains Si, AI, O, and any other elements such as H, Na, K, Ca, Mg, etc. For the development of our knowledge and for a better understanding of the mechanism of this new synthesis of inorganic polymers, we felt we had to introduce a more precise terminology.

Click here to see how to download paper nr 20.

Download the chart: papers-1991-2009

JD

If you are interested I would like to encourage you to present a talk or poster on your recent work in this area. The conference proceedings are written up and published in the Ceramic Engineering and Science proceedings. These are published by the American Ceramic Society (now at volume 28) and available in libraries around the world. Earlier publications are listed at the end of this letter.

The meeting website is: www.ceramics.org/meetings/daytona2008/
and abstracts may be submitted online at: icacc08.abstractcentral.com

The abstract deadline is July 16, which is fast approaching.

If you would like me to issue you a letter of invitation to facilitate your travel arrangements, I will be happy to do so.
Yours sincerely,

Waltraud M. Kriven
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering,
Academician, World Academy of Ceramics
Fellow of the American Ceramic Society,
Counselor to the Engineering Ceramics Division of the American Ceramic Society,

E-mail: kriven(#)uiuc.edu
www.mse.uiuc.edu/faculty/Kriven.html
Tel: +1 217 333 5258
Fax: +1 217 333 2736

Geopolymers,
Green Chemistry
and Sustainable Development Solutions.

Proceedings of the Geopolymer 2005 World Congress

The book contains the proceedings of the World Congress Geopolymer 2005, held in France and in Australia, on geopolymer science, technology and applications. More than 180 people attended the congress, 85 international research institutions and companies presented a total of 75 papers. They cover a wide scope of topics ranging from geopolymer chemistry, industrial waste and raw material, geopolymer cement, geopolymer concrete (including fly ash-based geopolymers), applications in constructions materials, applications in high-tech materials, matrix for fire/heat resistant composites, and applications in archaeology.

The book represents selected contributions to the World Congress. All papers have been subjected to peer review process under the Geopolymer Institute publication policy. It also comes with a complementary CD-ROM containing all contributions received (additional extended abstracts, and some pictures of the event are included).

All papers found in this CD-ROM are in colors, and are the exact copies of the printed book, so you can use them as a reference. It is also compatible with PC, Mac and Unix systems, all files are in standard PDF format. You can print, copy these papers, and use the search engine to find a particular word.

3 PROCEEDINGS IN 1
ISBN: 2-9514820-0-0
133 papers – 1190 pages

As a FREE BONUS, the CD includes the proceedings of Geopolymer ‘88, and Geopolymer ‘99. We do this because these proceedings are out of print. They are the exact copies of their printed versions, so you can still use them as a reference and seek for the right paper at the right page.

To know what is in these 3 proceedings, please read the table of content on next page .

Materials Science: Concrete evidence

J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 89, 3788–3796 (2006)

Some of the massive blocks making up the great pyramids of Giza in Egypt (pictured) are not limestone, but a synthetic mix like concrete, argue materials scientists.

The paper by Michel Barsoum of Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his colleagues is the latest entry in a decades-long argument. Most Egyptologists reject the idea, put forth in the mid-1980s by French chemist Joseph Davidovits, that the pyramids contain concrete.

Barsoum’s team took a fresh look at 15 samples using scanning- and transmission-electron microscopes. The samples contain ratios of elements, such as calcium and magnesium, that do not exist in nearby limestone. The imaging also revealed regions of amorphous structure. Both observations suggest that other substances were added to make a concrete mix, say the authors.

Use of Inorganic Polymer to Improve the Fire Response of Balsa Sandwich Structures
J. Mat. in Civ. Engrg., Volume 18, Issue 3, pp. 390-397 (May/June 2006)
James Giancaspro, M.ASCE; P. N. Balaguru, M.ASCE; and Richard E. Lyon

Abstract
The study presented in this paper deals with the fire performance of balsa sandwich panels made using inorganic Geopolymer resin and high-strength fiber facings. A thin layer of a fire-resistant paste composed of Geopolymer and hollow glass microspheres was applied to the facings to serve as a protective fire barrier and to improve the fire resistance of the sandwich panels. Using 17 sandwich panel specimens, the primary objective of this program was to establish the minimum amount of fireproofing necessary to satisfy the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements for heat and smoke release. The influence of this fireproofing insulation on the increase in mass of the panels was also evaluated. The system is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and a 1.8-mm-thick layer of fireproofing satisfies the FAA requirements for both heat release and smoke emission.

The link to the publication

Abstract
A geopolymer was prepared by dissolving metakaolinite in a solution of K2SiO3 and KOH and curing at 80°C for 24 h. It was progressively heated from ambient to 1400°C in air and the phase changes were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Only an amorphous geopolymer phase was observed on heating up to 800°C. Kalsilite was the major phase at 1000°C and 1250-1400°C. At 1200°C leucite was the major phase formed. At 1400°C there was no sign of significant melting. The open porosity of the material was ~ 38% at 1000°C, which is sufficiently porous for it to be used as a heat insulation material for continuous use at this temperature.

The Geopolymer Institute Web site is the reference in this topic and has a big success. It is an excellent promotion tool for this new science, worldwide. This is reflected by the high number of downloadings for all scientific papers available here (see on this page the Statistics of downloadings).

That is why, we invite students (in Master and Doctorate) and researchers who want to take advantage of our popularity to benefit a web hosting of their most outstanding published papers or their most remarkable thesis (in English, or in French with a summary in English). You will have access to an audience much bigger than the original publication in a scientific journal or university libraries.

The institute does not publish articles but proposes to put on the internet already published scientific papers or thesis, provided you have the right to do it. Please, contact us to take advantage of this opportunity.

The first report: Report GC 2 is dealing with the long term properties. It has been included in the Technical Paper #17 in the Library, in addition to the previous report GC 1.

The second : Report GC 3 describes the properties of Beams and Columns. It is named Technical Paper #18 in the Library.

Other interesting publications on the same topic of aluminosilicate polymers

We recommand following recent papers published in 1996-1997 by a research group at Free University of Brussels (V.U.B.), Belgium. These papers confirm the presence of a polymeric structure for aluminosilicates of the geopolymeric type. These papers are excellent for there scientific content but do not deserve any further consideration for there lack of any reference to the scientific papers nor to the numerous issued patents published by Joseph Davidovits and listed in the CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS databank. One of the authors of these papers, Prof. J. WASTIELS, worked with geopolymeric binders supplied by the company Géopolymère (Pont-Ste Maxence, France) and also presented a paper at the First European Conference on Geopolymer, GEOPOLYMER ‘88, 1998, Université de Technologie, Compiègne, France, paper titled: “Composites with Mineral Matrix in Low Energy Construction”, by G. Patfoort and J. Wastiels, in GEOPOLYMER ‘88, J. Davidovits and J. Orlinski Eds.., Volume 2, Paper nr 16, pp. 215-221, 1988. The presentation abstract of this paper, Session D Nr27 (see in GEOPOLYMER ‘88, page 11) reads as follows: “On March 31, 1987, French President Francois Mitterand laid the foundation stone of the new University of Technology at Sevenans, France. This foundation stone was man-made, more precisely had been geopolymerised at 55°C, in our laboratories [at V.U.B.]. Our involvement with geopolymeric reactions goes back to 1982 when we started a collaboration with Prof. J. Davidovits and the Geopolymer Institute. A series of low cost composites for low energy construction are being developed at Vrije Universitet Brussels, starting from aluminosilicates. Geopolymerisation reaction can take place at atmospheric pressure and at low temperatures (between room temperature and 100°C), so that a low amount of energy is used for production. Applications are expected to be found in low cost housing, using locally available raw materials, and more generally in composite materials with geopolymeric matrix”.

• Rahier H., Van Mele B., Biesemans.M., Wastiels J. and Wu X., Low-temperature synthesized aluminosilicate glasses Part I, J. Material Sciences, 31 (1996) 71-79.
• Rahier H., Van Mele B., Wastiels J., Low-temperature synthesized aluminosilicate glasses Part II, J. Material Sciences, 31 (1996) 80-85.
• Rahier H., Simons W., Van Mele B., Biesemans.M., Low-temperature synthesized aluminosilicate glasses Part III, J. Material Sciences, 32 (1997) 2237-2247.

Geopolymers,
Green Chemistry
and Sustainable Development Solutions.

Proceedings of the Geopolymer 2005 World Congress

The book contains the proceedings of the World Congress Geopolymer 2005, held in France and in Australia, on geopolymer science, technology and applications. More than 180 people attended the congress, 85 international research institutions and companies presented a total of 75 papers. They cover a wide scope of topics ranging from geopolymer chemistry, industrial waste and raw material, geopolymer cement, geopolymer concrete (including fly ash-based geopolymers), applications in constructions materials, applications in high-tech materials, matrix for fire/heat resistant composites, and applications in archaeology.

The book represents selected contributions to the World Congress. All papers have been subjected to peer review process under the Geopolymer Institute publication policy. It also comes with a complementary CD-ROM containing all contributions received (additional extended abstracts, and some pictures of the event are included).

All papers found in this CD-ROM are in colors, and are the exact copies of the printed book, so you can use them as a reference. It is also compatible with PC, Mac and Unix systems, all files are in standard PDF format. You can print, copy these papers, and use the search engine to find a particular word.

3 PROCEEDINGS IN 1
ISBN: 2-9514820-0-0
133 papers – 1190 pagesFREE BONUS, the CD includes the proceedings of Geopolymer ‘88, and Geopolymer ‘99. We do this because these proceedings are out of print. They are the exact copies of their printed versions, so you can still use them as a reference and seek for the right paper at the right page.

To know what is in these 3 proceedings, please read the table of content on next page .

WORLD CONGRESS GEOPOLYMER 2005

Buy online the Geopolymer 2005 Proceedings
at The Geopolymer Shop (ISBN 2-9514820-0-0)

As a tribute to Prof. Dr. Joseph Davidovits’ 70th birthday in 2005, and the 25th anniversary of the first geopolymer patents, (Na-K)-PSS types, we decided to organize the GEOPOLYMER 2005 WORLD CONGRESS. It gathers two major events in two different locations:
1) Fourth International Conference
Saint-Quentin (North of Paris), France, June 29, 30, and July 1, 2005
2) International Workshop on Geopolymer Cements and Concrete
Perth, Australia, September 28-29, 2005

80 conferences were presented with more than 180 attendants from 30 countries around the World.

The main topic of the conference was Geopolymer-chemistry and sustainable Development. The Poly(sialate)terminology, a very useful and simple model for the promotion and understanding of green-chemistry.

The last few years have seen spectacular technological progress in the development of Geosynthesis and geopolymeric applications. More and more public and private research institutes and companies are working on this new chemistry for innovative solutions in adding value on industrial wastes, or solutions to emit less pollution, more careful on the environment and mankind, respecting the sustainable development and the 3 bottom line principles.

A high-tech ecological, environmentally friendly chemistry exists, we have to say it to the world!

Download the comprehensive program of the Fourth International Conference
Download the comprehensive program of the International Workshop on Geopolymer Cements and Concrete

This paper describes research into the use of granulated blast furnace slag as an active filler in the making of geopolymers. During this work it was found that geopolymer setting time correlates well with temperature, potassium hydroxide concentration, metakaolinite and sodium silicate addition. The physical and mechanical properties of the geopolymer also correlated well with the concentration of alkaline solution and the amount of metakaolinite that is added. The highest compressive strength achieved was 79 MPa. For fire resistance tests, a 10 mm thick geopolymer panel was exposed to a 1100 °C flame, with the measured reverse-side temperatures reaching less than 350°C after 35 min. The products can be fabricated for construction purposes and have great potential for engineering applications.

This article is also available online at: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/mineng

The international conference brings together industry, geopolymer experts, architects and venture capitalists to take geopolymers to the next stage – the full commercialisation of this exciting product.
The two day, highly informative and solutions oriented conference will comprise keynote speakers from companies that have already embraced the technology, panel discussions and interactive sessions.

Learn how geopolymers can add value to your industry. – Hear from international experts about their experiences. – Discover the inherent properties that place geopolymers at the forefront of construction products. – Understand the business case and identify the investment opportunities. – Gain the early advantage of embracing geopolymer technology.

Other areas in which opportunities exist for geopolymers include transportation, infrastructure, the nuclear power industry, fire-proof and refractory materials, and adhesives.
Researchers interested in learning about the global advances in the commercial development of geopolymerisation should also attend.
Parallel technical sessions to be held on the second day will allow delegates to select their own pathways through the conference.

Download the comprehensive program of the conference.

Buy online the Geopolymers 2002 Proceedings
at www.siloxo.com (ISBN 0-9750242-0-5)

GÉOPOLYMÈRE ‘99
International Conference

First conference in 20 years to focus on the science behind
New Materials for the Third Millennium and
their Ancient Analogues (Roman Cement, Pyramid stone).

June 30, July 1 and 2, 1999
at INSSET, Université de Picardie, Saint-Quentin, France
Organised by the Geopolymer Institute.

Buy online the Geopolymer ‘99 Proceedings
at www.cordi.geopolymere.com
(included in the Geopolymer 2005 Proceedings)

The previous European Conference on geopolymeric technologies, GEOPOLYMER ‘88 was held in 1988 at the Université de Technologie, Compiègne, France. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Geopolymer Institute, the city of Saint-Quentin, where the geopolymeric technology was invented, was dedicated to welcome the 2nd Geopolymer International Conference: GÉOPOLYMÈRE ‘99.

The last few years have seen spectacular technological progress in the development of Geosynthesis and geopolymeric applications. The remarkable achievements made through geosynthesis and geopolymerisation include mineral polymers (geopolymers), flexible ceramics which transform like plastics at low temperatures, ceramic composite made manually at room temperature or thermoset in a simple autoclave, concrete which after 4 hours has higher strength than the best currently-used concrete. Resulting from this are industrial applications which, while using ceramics as the basic material, no longer need heavy equipment and high temperatures. Geopolymers enable product designers to envisage the use of ceramic type materials with the same facility as organic polymers..

New state-of-the-art materials designed with the help of geopolymerisation reactions are opening up new applications and procedures, and transforming ideas that have been taken for granted in inorganic chemistry. This new generation of materials, whether used pure, with fillers or reinforced, is already finding applications in all fields of industry.

More than 28 international research institutions and companies involving 47 scientists and experts presented 32 papers.

The Conference focused on applications dealing with FIRE SAFETY in transportation (automotive, aerospace/aeronautic and naval industries), INFRASTRUCTURES (fire-safety in tunnels), NUCLEAR-POWER PLANTS, toxic and radioactive waste management (URANIUM WASTES), geopolymeric cementitious systems based on waste- and by-products (FLY-ASH, SLAG). It will display various applications for nonferrous foundries and metallurgy, civil engineering, and other industries, including ARTS and DECORATION.

A special day was dedicated to the applications in ARCHAEOLOGY (ceramics, cements, man made stones, pyramids, statues).

International Scientific Committee:
Prof. P. Balaguru, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, USA
Prof. Joseph Davidovits, Geopolymer Institute, France
Prof. Guy Demortier, Université de Namur, Belgique
Dr Gunter Kiessig, Wismut GmbH, Germany
Dr Richard Lyon, Federal Aviation Administration, USA
Ing. Bob Talling, Renotech, Finland

ISBN: 2902933150 (CD-ROM), 2902933142 (Book)