Synthesis of geopolymer composites using bauxite residue-based spheres as aggregate: Novel and eco-friendly strategy to produce lightweight building materials

• Published in: Cement & concrete composites Vol. 148; p. 105478
• Main Authors: Alves, Zélia, Senff, Luciano, Sakkas, Konstantinos, Yakoumis, Iakovos, Labrincha, João A., Novais, Rui M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Alkali activated materials; Inorganic polymer spheres; Synthetic lightweight aggregates; Thermal conductivity; Thermal stability; Synthetic lightweight aggregates; Thermal conductivity; Inorganic polymer spheres; Alkali activated materials; Thermal stability
• ISSN: 0958-9465; 1873-393X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2024.105478

In this study, and for the first time, highly porous red mud-based geopolymer spheres were produced, through a very simple and scalable procedure, and used as lightweight aggregate in the synthesis of geopolymer composites. To further demonstrate the potential of this unexplored route, a comparison with composites containing expanded perlite and expanded vermiculite was also performed. The sample produced with 85 vol% of spheres showed the lowest geometric density (0.84 g/cm3) amongst the studied composites, coupled with a suitable compressive strength (1.0 MPa), low thermal conductivity (175 mW/m K), and excellent thermal stability after exposure to 1000 °C for 2h. The much lower production temperature (80 °C), compared with the commercial expanded aggregates (above 650 °C), and the reuse of significant amounts of bauxite residue (strategy aligned with the circular economy) enables the production of eco-friendly lightweight aggregates for the building sector. •Eco-friendly strategy to decarbonize the building sector.•Innovative use of red mud-based geopolymer spheres as lightweight aggregate.•The spheres-containing composites exhibit multifunctional behaviour.•Low thermal conductivity (175 mW/m K) coupled with excellent thermal stability.