Fabrication, Characterization, and Performance Evaluation of Porous Geopolymer Components for Sustainable Environmental Applications

This thesis explores the potential of geopolymers as sustainable alternatives to traditional construction materials like Portland cement, addressing environmental challenges. Derived from alumino-silicate minerals, geopolymers exhibit properties like high porosity and thermal stability, making them suitable for various environmental applications including microplastic pollution mitigation in aquatic ecosystems. Advanced fabrication techniques like 3D printing via Robocasting have further expanded geopolymer applications, enabling tailored structures for specific uses such as CO2 adsorption and medical waste treatment. The study also delves into inventive fabrication techniques like hot-pressing to enhance geopolymer mechanical attributes. However, transitioning geopolymers from labs to real-world applications necessitates standardized manufacturing and testing processes to ensure consistent quality and further research. The thesis, organized into four chapters, discusses different fabrication techniques and applications of geopolymers, aiming to not only showcase their versatility but assert their superiority over commercially available materials in terms of sustainability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Through rigorous testing and performance evaluations, this research advocates for a paradigm shift in material selection, positioning geopolymers as viable solutions for a sustainable and eco-friendly future.