Synthesis of Geopolymers Using Local Resources for Construction and Water Purification

Arwa Hamaideh, Bassam Al-Qarallah, Moshrik R. Hamdi, Saida Ali Abu Mallouh, Juma’a Khalil Al-Kafawein, Mazen Alshaaer

Center of Water, Energy and Environment, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Deanship of Academic Research, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Department of Chemistry, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, KSA.
Engicon, Amman, Jordan.
Hamdi Mango Center for Scientific Research, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Horticulture and Crop Science Department, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.

DOI: 10.4236/jwarp.2014.65049                

Abstract

Large deposits of impure kaolins exist in Jordan and many parts of the world; geoplymers can reduce environmental impacts and have multi-application in many fields, such as water purification, waste treatment, fire proof construction, etc. The aim of this research is to investigate the use of alkali activated zeolitic tuff and low purity metakaolin as precursors for the production of functional geoplymers exhibiting proper mechanical properties and high potential for water storage and decontamination of polluted solutions. The results confirmed that this type of geopolymers showed superior mechanical characteristics and higher adsorption capacity towards heavy metals such as Cu(II) ions, which was similar to natural zeolite. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that phillipsite, a major zeolite mineral, disappeared upon geopolymerization, while scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that geopolymers exhibit a porous matrix of nano-particles. The geopolymers have also displayed high compressive strength and tensile bending strength of about 7.8 MPa and 45 MPa respectively, compared to reference geopolymers. This functional-geopolymers indicate that they are efficient, cost effective and have a potential for number of applications including construction, water storage and wastewater treatment.

Keywords

Geopolymer, Zeolitic Tuff, Metakaolin, Water Purification, Construction Material, Heavy Metals, Jordan

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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