Geopolymer materials are used as construction materials due to their lower carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions compared with conventional cementitious materials. An example of a geopolymer material is alkali-activated kaolin, which is a viable alternative for producing high-strength ceramics. Producing high-performing kaolin ceramics using the conventional method requires a high processing temperature (over 1200 °C). However, properties such as pore size and distribution are affected at high sintering temperatures. Therefore, knowledge regarding the sintering process and related pore structures on alkali-activated kaolin geopolymer ceramic is crucial for optimizing the properties of the aforementioned materials. Pore size was analyzed using neutron tomography, while pore distribution was observed using synchrotron micro-XRF. This study elucidated the pore structure of alkali-activated kaolin at various sintering temperatures. The experiments showed the presence of open pores and closed pores in alkali-activated kaolin geopolymer ceramic samples. The distributions of the main elements within the geopolymer ceramic edifice were found with Si and Al maps, allowing for the identification of the kaolin geopolymer. The results also confirmed that increasing the sintering temperature to 1100 °C resulted in the alkali-activated kaolin geopolymer ceramic samples having large pores, with an average size of ~80 µm³ and a layered porosity distribution.

This paper details analytical research results into a novel geopolymer concrete embedded with glass bubble as its thermal insulating material, fly ash as its precursor material, and a combination of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃) as its alkaline activator to form a geopolymer system. The workability, density, compressive strength (per curing days), and water absorption of the sample loaded at 10% glass bubble (loading level determined to satisfy the minimum strength requirement of a load-bearing structure) were 70 mm, 2165 kg/m³, 52.58 MPa (28 days), 54.92 MPa (60 days), and 65.25 MPa (90 days), and 3.73 %, respectively. The thermal conductivity for geopolymer concrete decreased from 1.47 to 1.19 W/mK, while the thermal diffusivity decreased from 1.88 to 1.02 mm²/s due to increased specific heat from 0.96 to 1.73 MJ/m³K. The improved physicomechanical and thermal (insulating) properties resulting from embedding a glass bubble as an insulating material into geopolymer concrete resulted in a viable composite for use in the construction industry.

Thermal insulation concrete building plays an important role in environment sustainability especially energy saving buildings. Buildings are one of the largest consumers of energy worldwide. Therefore, significant energy saving can be realized by buildings with proper materials, design and operation. Thermal insulation systems are nowadays mostly applied for such building envelopes where the materials of load bearing structure such as concrete do not have a substantial thermal insulation capability. Thermal insulation in concrete are materials or combinations of materials that are used to provide resistance to heat flow, should have low conductivity for building application in order to represence of a temperature gradient, has an important effect on the heat exchange between the building interior and the ambiance. The aim of this paper is to review the thermal properties include thermal conductivity and specific heat on various types of concrete.

MATEC Web of Conferences, open access proceedings in Materials science, Engineering and Chemistry

Performance of geopolymer based specimens is significantly affected by internal and external aspects. Curing temperature and air humidity are among the prominent external factors that contribute to the alteration of geopolymer properties. Nevertheless, internal component of geopolymer binder also carries essential effect to the hardened geopolymer binder produced. In this research, the study was concentrated on the elemental composition of source material components and their interrelation to the performance of geopolymer binder produced. Different types of fly ash were used as the source material in this research. Low calcium (class-F) fly ash was combined with high calcium (class-C) fly ash to determine the elemental composition effect, particularly SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and CaO to the geopolymer properties. Analysis using SYSTAT statistical software indicated the importance of oxide composition of source material to the geopolymer specimens produced. Initial setting time of geopolymer paste was also possibly important to the compressive strength of geopolymer specimens produced. Nevertheless, final setting time indicated less importance to the compressive strength development of geopolymer binder.