Innovative Geopolymers Based on Metakaolin: Synthesis and Applications

During the three years of this PhD, the attention was focused on the study and characterization of new geopolymers based on metakaolin. Nowadays geopolymers are materials of increasing interest, this because they are derived from natural minerals or industrial waste products and have a low environmental impact. They can be mixed with many types of fillers and/or additives and applied in different fields thank to their versatility. The aim of this study and research was to develop innovative geopolymeric products to be used in green building and in cultural heritage fields. The activities was focused on production of new and innovative geopolymer formulations (adding different types of filler and additives) and on their physical-chemical and mechanical characterization by several analytical techniques, in order to define the characteristics of the final products. In particular, using SEM and Micro Computer Tomography to study the geopolymeric structure at the micro-scale, XRD, XRF, NMR and FTIR analyses to investigate features at the nano-scale and mechanical tests to evaluate their mechanical properties. In addition, during the third year the activity was focused on the develop of geopolymeric composites customized for specific applications; subsequently many prototypes were synthesized and the most appropriate formulations have been used to real restoration cases.