Geopolymeric nanomaterials

In comparison to zeolites and clays, geopolymeric aluminosilicates and their chemistry have been much less explored despite its enormous potential for discovery and utilization of new materials. This work introduces recent advances in understanding of geopolymerization reactions and production of geopolymer nanomaterials and examplifies some of their sustainability applications in the areas of water decontamination, catalysis, antimicrobials, biomedical therapeutics, and functional additives. Emphasis is given on synthetic strategies in production of high-performance nanostructured geopolymeric aluminosilicates through cost-effective and scalable processes. By using the chemical relationship between geopolymer and zeolites, exploratory syntheses of geopolymer have provided new knowledge of geopolymer chemistry and have resulted in newly developed synthetic approaches for novel geopolymeric nanomaterials. Further research and development will lead to new functional geopolymeric materials that may provide novel opportunities in sustainability applications that zeolites and clays cannot address and hence benefit the society to a great extent.