Advanced geopolymerization is a novel approach for the manufacture of geopolymers via innovative solid-state chemistry mechanism in which tailored geopolymeric precursors in solid powder form are the one part requirement, and only water is needed for its conversion to advanced geopolymeric material, in contrast to conventional process, where first solution of alkali is prepared and then mixed with silicoaluminous source materials. This novel process comprises of tailored geopolymeric precursors in solid powder form which is obtained via mechanochemical dry grinding of raw materials for prolonged hours. The basic raw materials include vitreous silica- and alumina-containing waste material/by-products, e.g. fly ash, activated by sodium hydroxide with or without sodium silicate. The solid powder needs only addition of water to form geopolymeric material. The advanced process includes solid-state reactions during dry grinding process and enables sequencing of reactions for preparation of geopolymeric material.
Part of the book: Geopolymers and Other Geosynthetics