A Review of Research on The Preparation and Application of Porous Geopolymers

Qingyao Guo; Yidong Fan; Xia Fan; Le Wang

doi:10.6911/WSRJ.202505_11(5).0015

Authors

Qingyao Guo
Yidong Fan
Xia Fan
Le Wang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6911/WSRJ.202505_11(5).0015

Keywords:

Geopolymers; Porosity; Performance effects; Functional applications.

Abstract

Geopolymers are three-dimensional inorganic polymer networks formed through depolymerization-polycondensation reactions of aluminosilicate raw materials under alkaline or acidic activation. Their chemical structure resembles that of natural zeolites but exhibits amorphous or semi-crystalline characteristics, endowing them with excellent properties such as high mechanical strength, thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and low permeability. Unlike conventional ceramics, their synthesis requires no high-temperature calcination and can incorporate industrial byproducts such as fly ash, slag, and metakaolin, offering both environmental sustainability and economic advantages. Porous geopolymer materials can be further developed by introducing controllable pore structure through physical or chemical foaming technology, which not only retains the excellent properties of geopolymer matrix, but also has multifunctional properties due to the presence of pores, and shows broad application prospects in the fields of building thermal insulation, noise control, and environmental treatment. This paper reviews the physical and chemical preparation processes of porous geopolymers, introduces the applications of porous geopolymers in thermal insulation, sound absorption, adsorption, PH adjustment, etc., and discusses the future research direction of porous geopolymers.

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