Clinoptilolite based zeolite-geopolymer hybrid foams: Potential application as low-cost sorbents for heavy metals.

Clinoptilolite based zeolite-geopolymer foams (abbreviated as CFs) were prepared from natural clinoptilolite and calcined clinoptilolite, using H2O2 solution as pore former through a straightforward process. Natural clinoptilolite and CFs are characterized by analytical techniques including optical microscope, XRF, FTIR, XRD, BET, MIP and SEM. The obtained CFs possesses micropores of zeolite and meso/macropores of geopolymer matrix. The porosities range from 66.7 to 69.5%. Clinoptilolite (partially dissolved) and impurity minerals (montmorillonite, illite and albite) contribute to the formation of geopolymer. CFs shows a good static sorption performance for toxic heavy metals at pH = 5 and sorption time of 24 h. Results show that the adsorption amount of CFs for Cr3+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ in the 50 mg/L working solutions are 6.21 mg/g, 6.11-6.13 mg/g, 5.92-6.07 mg/g, 5.53-5.93 mg/g and 5.44-5.79 mg/g, respectively. In addition, CFs could reach a high removal rate (Cr removal rate >80% and Cd > 60%) for different heavy metals after three cycles. The elimination order of toxic metals is Cr3+ > Pb2+ > Ni2+ > Cu2+ > Cd2+. The sequence is in accordance with Hard-Soft-Acid-Base principle, it is also related to the speciation and the ionic radii of the hydrated metal ions. This research provides a feasible approach for preparation of promising foams sorbent based on natural zeolite for wastewater management.

Fire Resistance of Geopolymer Foams Layered on Polystyrene Boards.

Geopolymer foams are excellent materials in terms of mechanical loads and fire resistance applications. This study investigated the foaming process of geopolymers and foam stability, with a focus on the fire resistance performance when using polystyrene as the base layer. The main purpose is to define the influence of porosity on the physical properties and consequently to find applications and effectiveness of geopolymers. In this study, lightweight materials are obtained through a process called geopolymerization. Foaming was done by adding aluminum powder at the end of the geopolymer mortar preparation. The interaction between the aluminum powder and the alkaline solution (used for the binder during the mixing process) at room temperature is reactive enough to develop hydrogen-rich bubbles that increase the viscosity and promote the consolidation of geopolymers. The basic principle of thermodynamic reactions responsible for the formation of foams is characterized by hydrogen-rich gas generation, which is then trapped in the molecular structure of geopolymers. The geopolymer foams in this study are highly porous and robust materials. Moreover, the porosity distribution is very homogeneous. Experimental assessments were performed on four specimens to determine the density, porosity, mechanical strength, and thermal conductivity. The results showed that our geopolymer foams layered on polystyrene boards (with optimal thickness) have the highest fire resistance performance among others. This combination could withstand temperatures of up to 800 °C for more than 15 min without the temperature rising on the insulated side. Results of the best-performing geopolymer foam underline the technical characteristics of the material, with an average apparent density of 1 g/cm3, a volume porosity of 55%, a thermal conductivity of 0.25 W/mK, and excellent fire resistance.

Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Foams Obtained by Adding Palm Olein as the Foam Stabilizer.

Geopolymer foams with different pore structures can be used in construction, water treatment, and heavy metal adsorption. The preparation of high porosity geopolymer foams using vegetable oil as a foam stabilizer is a feasible and cost-effective route. In this study, metakaolin-based geopolymer foams with hierarchical pore structures were fabricated by adding H2O2 as the foaming agent with palm olein as the foam stabilizer. The effects of H2O2 and palm olein content on the chemical features and pore structure of geopolymer foams were evaluated. Water absorption, thermal conductivity, and mechanical behaviors of geopolymer foams were also investigated. The results indicate that fatty acid salt surfactants were generated in situ in the geopolymer matrix due to the addition of palm olein. Geopolymer foams with H2O2 and palm olein addition possess a homogeneously concentrated macropore distribution. Palm olein exhibits a refining effect on intrinsic pores formed by geopolymerization. In addition, using appropriate amounts of palm olein and H2O2, geopolymer foams can achieve higher open porosity and better pore connectivity, resulting in the improvement of water absorption and thermal insulation capacity.

Fabrication and Fireproofing Performance of the Coal Fly Ash-Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Foams.

This paper aims to investigate the influence of coal fly ash (CFA) addition on the fireproof properties of the metakaolin-based geopolymer foams. The physical properties, thermal conductivity and fire resistance of the CFA-metakaolin-based geopolymer foams are discussed. The CFA-metakaolin-based geopolymer foams achieve a dry density between 259.43 kg/m3 and 349.73 kg/m3, a porosity between 71.78% and 72.98%, a thermal conductivity between 0.0871 W/(m·K) and 0.0944 W/(m·K) and a compressive strength between 0.38 MPa and 0.56 MPa, exhibiting better physical properties than that of the porous blocks without CFA addition. It is also found that the CFA addition could decrease the viscous sintering temperature and change the phase compositions of sintering products, resulting in the porous structure deterioration in a certain extent and obvious rise of the final reverse-side temperature during the fire-resistance tests. Fortunately, the conversion of the amorphous geopolymer gel to ceramics has helped to maintain the main skeleton structure stability. The CFA-metakaolin-based geopolymer foams still exhibit excellent fire resistance, and the reverse-side temperatures are always within 250 °C after 3 h fire-resistance tests.

Fire Resistance of Alkali Activated Geopolymer Foams Produced from Metakaolin and Na2O2.

This work aims to investigate the feasibility that alkali-based geopolymer foams produced from metakaolin and Na2O2 are applied for fire protection. Dry bulk density, porosity, mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and fire resistance of the geopolymer foams are discussed as a function of the Na2O2 amounts. As Na2O2 content varies from 1% to 4%, dry bulk density, mechanical strength and thermal conductivity of the geopolymer foams approximately exhibit opposite trends with that of the porosity. At the later stage of the 3 h fire-resistance tests, the reverse-side temperatures of all tested samples were always maintained at 220-250 °C. Meanwhile, the amorphous skeleton structures have been converted to smooth ceramics during the high temperature processes, which is the main reason that the geopolymer foams possess a stable porous structure and excellent fire resistance. Therefore, we could conclude that alkali-activated geopolymer foams with extraordinary fire resistance have great potential for fire protection applications.