Development of functional geopolymers for water purification, and construction purposes

This paper deals with the development of functional geopolymers based on local resources such as kaolinitic soil and zeolitic tuff for the construction of water storage containers and water transfer channels. The effect of water content on the mechanical performance and physical properties of synthesized geopolymers was evaluated. The results confirmed that the optimum ratio of water is 28% of clay fraction, which revealed observable improvements of physical, mechanical, and adsorption properties of the geopolymeric products. Such geopolymers showed the highest compressive strength, density, and maximum adsorption capacity toward cadmium among the products and precursors tested. The residual soluble salts in produced geopolymers were markedly reduced by using this optimum water content.