Porous geopolymeric material for insulation applications

Cellular fly ash-based geopolymer with suitable physico-thermal and mechanical strength characteristics was prepared using sodium perborate as an expanding agent, palm oil as a surfactant for stabilization of the froth, montmorillonite as a nanoclay for growing the strength of geopolymer , and an alkaline activator composed of potassium hydroxide and silicate solutions. Results showed excellent thermal insulation properties (density between 438-502 kgꞏm-3 and heat conductivity in the range of 0.077-0.103 Wꞏm-1ꞏK-1) as well as adequate compression and flexural strength up to 5.4 and 4.1 MPa respectively, being interesting the excellent strength values obtained at early age only 7 days.