Sustainability of Green Building Materials: A Scientometric Review of Geopolymers from a Circular Economy Perspective

Paolo Lorenzo Ferrara, Michele La Noce () and Gaetano Sciuto
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Paolo Lorenzo Ferrara: Department of Economics and Business, University of Catania, 95129 Catania, Italy
Michele La Noce: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Gaetano Sciuto: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 22, 1-27

Abstract: Ecosystems suffer from CO 2 emissions and pollution caused by waste materials, mainly agricultural and industrial, that are dumped in landfill sites. These materials contain aluminosilicates, which are key ingredients for producing geopolymer composite (GPC). While cement, the main component of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), is a highly energy-consuming and polluting material in terms of CO 2 emissions, water absorption, and land depletion, GPC is an emerging building material that can contribute to the sustainability of the construction industry. In this research, bibliometric data on GPCs were collected from Dimensions databases, and a scientometric analysis was performed using the innovative VOSviewer software (ver. 1.6.19). The scope was to examine the development of GPC for construction applications in the context of a circular economy and as an emerging green building material. Using specific query metrics and three keywords (geopolymer, circular economy, and green building materials), bibliometric records were analyzed to identify the articles, authors, and journals with the highest impact. This investigation can help scholars and policymakers in deepening their knowledge in this growing research area. From a societal perspective, this study stimulates geopolymer developments through policies aimed at promoting the circular economy, such as the adoption of green subsidies in research and development (R&D) and production.

Keywords: geopolymer; inorganic polymers; waste management; building materials; circular economy; CO 2 emissions; scientometric analysis; environmental and resource economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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