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Geopolymers: Past, Present, and Future of Low Carbon Footprint Eco-materials

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Handbook of Ecomaterials

Abstract

The geopolymers are large inorganic molecules, synthesized by an activated polycondensation reaction, either in a highly alkaline medium or in an acid medium, from substances rich in silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al). They have excellent mechanical and physical properties; high compressive strength, thermal stability, low shrinkage, resistance to fire and acid attacks and are also friendly to the environment. Geoplymers are synthesized at temperatures below 120 ° C, which implies a low energy consumption for its manufacture, compared to the high energy consumption required for the production of traditional ceramic materials. Some of the applications of geopolymers are the encapsulation of toxic waste, refractory coatings, manufacturing of aeronautical equipment, among others. Geopolymers are considered as the third generation of concrete, since they are viable for the preparation of cements, mortars and concrete with properties similar or higher than traditional materials used in construction. Geopolymers are obtained without carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maestría en Ciencia y Tecnología Química, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico

    Carlos Sotelo-Piña

  2. Advanced Ceramic Materials and Energy, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico

    Elsa Nadia Aguilera-González & Antonia Martínez-Luévanos

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  1. Carlos Sotelo-Piña
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  2. Elsa Nadia Aguilera-González
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  3. Antonia Martínez-Luévanos
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Correspondence to Antonia Martínez-Luévanos .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Ingeniería Civil Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico

    Leticia Myriam Torres Martínez

  2. Facultad de Ciencias Físico-Matemáticas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico

    Oxana Vasilievna Kharissova

  3. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León UANL, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico

    Boris Ildusovich Kharisov

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Sotelo-Piña, C., Aguilera-González, E.N., Martínez-Luévanos, A. (2019). Geopolymers: Past, Present, and Future of Low Carbon Footprint Eco-materials. In: Martínez, L., Kharissova, O., Kharisov, B. (eds) Handbook of Ecomaterials. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68255-6_54

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