Potential applications for geopolymers in carbon capture and storage

Carbon capture and storage technology is used to decrease the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and mitigate climate change. Geopolymers are versatile inorganic materials (aluminosilicates-alkalis) that have wide applications due to different properties (compressive strength, surface area, porosity, chemical stability and others) exhibited according to their formulation and fabrication process. In addition to being low cost and environmentally-friendly materials, important aspects are related to the raw materials, such as fly ash, slag, rice husk ash and red mud, used in their synthesis. Hybrid materials produced by mixing geopolymers with zeolites, activated carbon and hydrotalcites, for example, exhibit new properties that enable them to be applied in carbon capture and storage processes. Furthermore, geopolymers can advantageously replace the Portland cement commonly used in CO2 storage wells. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review on the potential application of geopolymeric materials in the separation and purification of CO2 and as an alternative to replace Portland cement for the cementing and plugging of storage wells (CO2 and brine). The challenges and drawbacks associated with these different applications are presented and the perspectives for future research activities in this field are discussed.

Automated summary

Geopolymers are versatile inorganic materials with wide applications, exhibiting different properties based on formulation and fabrication processes. Raw materials used in their synthesis are important considerations. Geopolymeric materials can replace Portland cement for CO2 storage and exhibit new properties when mixed with other materials.