Zeolite-geopolymer composite materials: Production and characterization. (10th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Papa, Elettra; Medri, Valentina; Amari, Smail; Manaud, Jérémie; Benito, Patricia; Vaccari, Angelo; Landi, Elena
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 171(2018)
• Page Start: 76
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2018-01-10
• Subjects: Geopolymer -- Zeolite -- Composite -- Compressive strength -- Porosity -- CO2 adsorption; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.09.270
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: This study reports the production and characterization of a new class of geopolymer-zeolite materials obtained adding a commercial synthetic zeolite to a geopolymer matrix, to combine the functional micro-porosity of the zeolite with the meso-porosity of the geopolymer matrix, with the further possibility to consolidate the zeolite powder. Geopolymer-zeolite composites were produced mixing different metakaolin-based geopolymer matrices with zeolite Na13X, largely used for CO2 adsorption. Porous monoliths, with 3-dimensional interconnected open pores, were obtained and characterized. The composites were also tested in term of CO2 uptake, to highlight one of the possible functional properties of the new material. Composite monoliths based on Na-geopolymer matrix with Si/Al molar ratio equal to 1.2 were most promising thanks to a compressive strength of about 3 MPa, the presence of a wide range of porosity (from 5 Å to 2 μm), a high specific surface area (211 m 2 g −1 ), the formation of a zeolite NaA phase, and an improved CO2 adsorption capacity over the 50% of the expected value (3.1% vs 2.1%). Graphical abstract: Highlights: Porous self-supporting monoliths were synthesized through an optimized process. The composites shown a wide range of porosity and high specific surface area. A synergistic effect between the geopolymer matrix and the zeolite was assessed. The composites displayed good and promising CO2 uptake values.