Properties and Industrial Applications of Geopolymers
Geopolymers are unique polymers formed using geometric nodes connected by monomers or polymer chains. Unique properties, such as physical and chemical resistance, strength, etc., characterize them. Geopolymers are used in various applications, including automotive parts, plastic components, composite materials, etc.
Geopolymers can be homogeneous or dispersed, derived, and have different properties. Geopolymers can have other properties and be used in different areas depending on the chemical composition of the monomers and nodes. Thus, geopolymers are unique polymers that are used in numerous industrial applications.
Geopolymers are based on an artificial or natural polymer that contains a high percentage of minerals. Unlike conventional polymers, geopolymers are obtained from naturally occurring minerals or mineral residues, which are powder-like substances. Such materials produce structural materials such as bricks, slabs, and floors.
Also, geopolymers must be strong, corrosion-resistant, and have a low moisture content. Geopolymers are used in various products, including structures, pipes, floors, and cladding. They can produce both large and small products and do not require additional finishing after they are made.
Environmental Benefits and Market Potential
They are also environmentally friendly and allow you to create products with low energy consumption. Geopolymers are promising materials and may become a mass product in the future. This material is more robust, lighter, and reduces production and use costs (Nawaz et al., 2020).
Geopolymers have high durability and resistance to water and the environment, and they also have various applications in engineering, construction, transport, food, household chemicals, etc. This material is constantly being improved, and companies worldwide offer new grades of geopolymers, which positively affects the possibility of their mass application.
Challenges to Mass Production
At the same time, the development of geopolymers may slow down due to the need for more use of this material, which is the main one for producing products and various goods. Geopolymers still need to be made easier to manufacture and cheaper on a production scale. There are also restrictions on producing this material due to the need for sufficient infrastructure. However, depending on the development of technology and the efforts that will be made to reduce the cost of production of geopolymers, they may soon become a mass product.
Currently, geopolymers are an innovative synthetic material that is being used for a variety of applications and products. They were created for durability and resistance to immersion in water, making them worthy of the consumer’s attention. However, the price of geopolymers is relatively high and unsuitable for mass production. The production process for geopolymers is quite complex and time-consuming, and a lot of research and development is required to obtain acceptable results. In addition, producing geopolymers requires special reagents, which take a lot of time and money.
Future Development
There are attempts to create a more affordable alternative, such as using new 3D printing technologies and nanomaterials to increase strength and performance (Zhong & Zhang, 2022). But even with innovations emerging, mass production of geopolymers still has a long way to go. Reducing their production cost significantly is necessary to turn geopolymers into a mass product.
A detailed study is needed to improve technology and improve technical performance. It is also essential to provide the best proposals to support research and development for developing innovative technologies in the field of geopolymers. In conclusion, geopolymers can become a mainstream product, which will take time and require much work and investment. It is necessary to develop more affordable and efficient production technologies to make them available to a wide range of consumers.
References
Nawaz, M., Heitor, A., & Sivakumar, M. (2020). Geopolymers in construction-recent developments. Construction and Building Materials, 260, 120472.
Zhong, H., & Zhang, M. (2022). 3D printing geopolymers: A review. Cement and Concrete Composites, 104455.