Dry Geopolymer Composition for Low-Water Ambient Curing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing geopolymer preparation methods require substantial amounts of water and strong, corrosive basic alkaline solutions, leading to inefficiencies and incomplete reactions.

Innovation Solution

A dry particulate composition comprising aluminosilicate, polymeric additive, alkali metal silicate, and alkali metal hydroxide, with specific ratios and moisture content, allows for geopolymer formation using minimal water and avoiding corrosive solutions, leveraging polycondensation reactions at ambient temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional geopolymer preparation methods using alkaline solutions are used, then geopolymerization can occur, but substantial amounts of water and corrosive basic alkaline solutions are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of preparation methodVSAvoidamount of water required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the reaction system by replacing traditional aqueous alkaline solutions with a dry particulate composition containing alkali metal silicate and hydroxide. This parameter change allows the reaction to proceed with minimal water addition (5-20% by weight), resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and water quantity required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite dry particulate composition comprising multiple components (aluminosilicate, alkali metal silicate, alkali metal hydroxide, and optional polymeric additive) that work synergistically. This composite approach enables complete solidification and geopolymerization with reduced water content, addressing the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If traditional geopolymer preparation methods are used, then reaction can proceed, but reaction time is extended and complete solidification is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction speedVSAvoidcompleteness of solidification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by pre-mixing the aluminosilicate with alkali metal silicate and hydroxide in specific proportions before the reaction. This pre-prepared dry composition ensures that when minimal water is added, the reaction proceeds rapidly and completely, achieving both high productivity and reliable complete solidification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the physical state from aqueous solution to dry particulate composition and optimizing the chemical composition ratios, the invention achieves faster reaction kinetics and complete solidification, resolving the contradiction between reaction speed and completeness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If dry particulate composition with polymeric additive is used, then mechanical properties are improved, but composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical properties of geopolymerVSAvoidcomplexity of composition

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates a polymeric additive as an optional component in the dry particulate composition. This creates a composite material system where the polymer enhances mechanical properties through reinforcement mechanisms, accepting increased compositional complexity as a trade-off for improved strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The polymeric additive provides local quality enhancement by specifically improving mechanical properties in critical areas of the geopolymer structure, justifying the added compositional complexity through targeted performance improvement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method reduces reaction time and achieves geopolymerization with improved mechanical properties and complete solidification, using a single water addition stage without decomposition stages.

Implementation Method 1

the dissolving of the initial components used followed by polycondensation in the form of a gel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

the dissolving of a solid aluminosilicate by alkaline hydrolysis is the first stage in the reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

leads to the formation of aluminates and silicates. When stable, a saturated solution is formed which leads to a network of oligomers resulting from polycondensation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolycondensation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12577164B2Dry particulate compositions for the formation of geopolymers, a process for forming geopolymers and the geopolymers obtained as a result

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 IMERTECH SAS

AI summary

The invention concerns dry particulate compositions for forming a geopolymer, comprising an aluminosilicate containing mineral, a polymeric additive, an alkali metal silicate, and an alkali metal hydroxide. The invention concerns processes of making geopolymers, the geopolymers, as well as the use of the dry particulate compositions in the formation of geopolymers.