Alkali-Activated Materials in Environmental Technology Applications

Alkali-activated materials, including geopolymers, are being studied at an increasing pace for various high-value applications. The main drivers for this emerging interest include the low-energy, low-cost, and readily up-scalable manufacturing process; the possibility to utilize industrial wastes and by-products as raw materials; and beneficial material properties comparable to conventional materials. It has already been verified that alkali-activated materials are very versatile in environmental technology applications for pollution control. The current research in the field focuses on advanced manufacturing methods, material properties, and applications, for example, additive manufacturing, modification of surface chemistry, CO2 capture, and green catalysis. *Alkali-Activated Materials in Environmental Technology Applications* discusses what novel possibilities alkali-activated materials provide in comparison to conventional materials (such as high-temperature ceramics, synthetic zeolites, or organic polymers). The specific environmental applications that are covered include water and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, stabilization/solidification of hazardous wastes, and catalysts in chemical processes. In addition, preparation methods, material properties, and the chemistry of alkali-activated materials are revisited from the viewpoint of environmental technology applications. This book also discusses how well alkali-activated materials fit under the concepts of green chemistry and circular economy and how the life cycle analysis of these materials compares to conventional materials.

Autorentext
Tero Luukkonen is an assistant professor at the Fibre and Particle Engineering Research Unit, University of Oulu, Finland. He received his PhD degree in 2016 in physical chemistry at the Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry, University of Oulu, Finland. Between 2010 and 2017, he worked in R&D positions at three start-up companies operating in the clean-technology sector. His current tenure-track assistant professor position is related to the development of high-value materials from inorganic side streams. His research interests include materials chemistry and waste treatment and environmental applications of alkali-activated materials in which areas he has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed articles.

Klappentext

The main objective of this book is to provide a detailed overview on environmental technology applications of alkali-activated materials (including geopolymers). It discusses what novel possibilities alkali-activated materials provide in comparison to conventional materials in these applications (such as high-temperature ceramics, synthetic zeolites, or plastics). The specific environmental applications that are covered include: water and wastewater treatment; air pollution control; stabilization/solidification of hazardous wastes; and catalysts in chemical processes. In addition, a review of preparation methods, material properties, and the chemistry of alkali-activated materials is also provided from the viewpoint of environmental applications. It also discusses how well alkali-activated materials fit under the concept of green chemistry and how the life cycle analysis of these materials compares to conventional materials. At the moment, the research area covered by the book is being studied at an increasing pace. The main drivers for this interest include the low-energy and low-cost manufacturing process of alkali-activated materials; the possibility to utilize industrial byproducts as raw materials; and beneficial material properties comparable to conventional materials. It has already been verified that alkali-activated materials are very versatile in environmental applications. The current research in the field focuses on advanced manufacturing methods, material properties, and applications: for example, additive manufacturing; modification of surface chemistry; CO2 capture; and green catalysis.

Alkali-activated Materials in Environmental Technology Applications will be a valuable reference resource for academic and industrial researchers, material scientists and chemists working in civil engineering, sustainable construction materials, and geopolymers, cement and concrete manufacturers and environmental engineers.

Inhalt

1. Alkali-activated materials in environmental technology: Introduction

   2. Chemistry and materials science of alkali-activated materials

   3. Geopolymeric nanomaterials

   SECTION 1 Fabrication of alkali-activated materials for environmental applications

   4. Highly porous alkali-activated materials

   5. Granulation techniques of geopolymers and alkali-activated materials

   6. Surface chemistry of alkali-activated materials and how to modify it

   SECTION 2 Water and wastewater treatment

   7. Alkali-activated materials as adsorbents for water and wastewater treatment

   8. Alkali-activated materials as photocatalysts for aqueous pollutant degradation

   9. Alkali-activated membranes and membrane supports

   10. Alkali-activated materials in passive pH control of wastewater treatment and anaerobic digestion

   SECTION 3 Air pollution control

   11. Alkali-activated materials in catalytic air pollution control

   12. Adsorption of gaseous pollutants by alkali-activated materials

   SECTION 4 Solid waste management

   13. Solidification/stabilization of hazardous wastes by alkali activation

   14. In situ sediment remediation with alkali-activated materials

   SECTION 5 Other environmental applications

   15. Antimicrobial alkali-activated materials

   16. Alkali-activated materials as catalysts in chemical processes

   SECTION 6 Sustainability and commercialization

   17. Environmental performance of alkali activated materials in comparison to conventional materials in environmental technology applications

   18. Drivers and barriers for productization of alkali-activated materials in environmental technology