Application and Analysis of Geopolymers

As a means of converting waste material to useful product, the value of geopolymer technology lies primarily in its ability to produce a high-performance binder from materials such as fly ash or blast furnace slag. Alkali activation of high calcium slag has been the focus of research for over the past 60 years. This product has in fact seen large scale use in construction industries. Significant interest in alkali-activated fly ash as a means of waste utilization and immobilization has only developed more recently. The use of fly ash as an alumino silicate source for synthesis of geopolymer is entirely distinct from its alternative use as a filler in concrete. The major geoplolymeric binder phase is aluminosilicate gel as opposed to calcium silicates formed in fly ash blended cement. Low calcium fly ash is currently most commonly used in geopolymer synthesis. Application of geopolymeric products made from waste materials are primarily cantered in construction industries, where the durability strength and fire resistance of geopolymer provide many advantages over traditional cementitious materials.