Mazen Alshaaer

Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

Mazen Alshaaer is an associate Professor of Materials Science at the Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. He received his doctorate degree in Materials Science, with specialization in synthesis of inorganic materials, from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium) in 2006. He had been working at the University of Jordan from 2006 until 2012. He was a visiting scholar at University of Aveiro (Portugal) Technical university of Crete (Greece). He has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers in reputed international journals and conferences, besides one patent and has been the Principal Investigator or coordinator on 10 research projects. His current research interests include green construction materials, synthesis of bioceramics, cement, and scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, functional geopolymeric materials, and low cost construction.

1books edited

2chapters authored

Latest work with IntechOpen by Mazen Alshaaer

Geopolymers are applied to material classes that are chemically transformed from low crystallinity aluminusilicates to three-dimensional inorganic polymers (tectosilicates). The resulting material has properties similar to natural minerals, so it is called artificial rock. However, these materials exhibit a chemical composition and mineralogical structure similar to feldspar, feldspathoidal, and zeolites consisting of a polymeric Si–O– Al framework, with a microcrystalline or an amorphous structure. Although geopolymers have attractive engineering and environmental characteristics, there are some challenges in commercializing these materials. In this book, these challenges will be addressed along with introducing the functional geopolymers as an effective approach to commercializing these materials and making them economically feasible.

Go to the book

Geopolymers and Other Geosynthetics

Edited by Mazen Alshaaer

Chapters authored

Introductory Chapter: Case Studies of Functional Geopolymers

By Mazen Alshaaer

Part of the book: Geopolymers and Other Geosynthetics

Brushite: Synthesis, Properties, and Biomedical Applications

By Khalil Issa, Abdulaziz Alanazi, Khalid A. Aldhafeeri, Ola Alamer and Mazen Alshaaer

In this chapter, besides its biomedical applications, the synthesis and properties of brushite were investigated. Brushite consists of two types of crystals, platy and needle-like, and their formation depends on the pH of the medium during precipitation. Platy crystals are formed in a slightly acidic medium, pH = 5, and needle-like crystals at a higher pH = 6.5–7. In this study, the monoclinic brushite crystals were synthesized using dissolution-precipitation reactions. It is found that the brushite crystal growth occurs mainly along the (020) crystallographic plane. The thermogravimetric analysis confirms the presence of the two structural water molecules, which decompose at a temperature range between 80 and 220°C. Brushite was used in the preparation of tetracalcium phosphate mineral, which is the powder component for calcium phosphate cement (CPC). CPC was subsequently prepared from TTCP and phosphate-based hardening solution. In vitro evaluation of the resultant CPC using Hanks’ Balanced Salt Solution results in the growth of nanofibrous crystals of Calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) layers on the surfaces of the CPC. The cultured CPC exhibits new connective tissues and throughout the CaP matrix.

Part of the book: Crystallization and Applications

Mazen Alshaaer

Latest work with IntechOpen by Mazen Alshaaer

Geopolymers and Other Geosynthetics

Chapters authored

Related collaborators

Jingkun Yuan

Raghunandan Kumar

Beulah M

Pranab Das

Nabil Hossiney

Mothi Krishna Mohan

Anirban Roy

Arun Kumar N

Peigang He

Dechang Jia