Low-Carbon Insulating Geopolymer Binders: Thermal Properties

Agnieszka Przybek, Jakub Piątkowski, Paulina Romańska, Michał Łach and Adam Masłoń ()
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Agnieszka Przybek: CUT Doctoral School, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Jakub Piątkowski: Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, Cracow University of Technology, Jana Pawła II 37, 31-864 Cracow, Poland
Paulina Romańska: Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, Cracow University of Technology, Jana Pawła II 37, 31-864 Cracow, Poland
Michał Łach: Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, Cracow University of Technology, Jana Pawła II 37, 31-864 Cracow, Poland
Adam Masłoń: Department of Environmental Engineering and Chemistry, Rzeszów University of Technology, Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-25

Abstract: In the context of the growing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to develop sustainable solutions for the construction industry, foamed geopolymers represent a promising alternative to traditional binders and insulation materials. This study investigates the thermal properties of novel low-emission, insulating geopolymer binders made from fly ash with diatomite, chalcedonite, and wood wool aiming to assess their potential for use in thermal insulation systems in energy-efficient buildings. The stability of the foamed geopolymer structure is also assessed. Measurements of thermal conductivity, specific heat, microstructure, density, and compressive strength are presented. The findings indicate that the selected geopolymer formulations exhibit low thermal conductivity, high heat capacity and low density, making them competitive with conventional insulation materials—mainly load-bearing ones such as aerated concrete and wood wool insulation boards. Additionally, incorporating waste-derived materials reduces the production carbon footprint. The best results are represented by the composite incorporating all three additives (diatomite, chalcedonite, and wood wool), which achieved the lowest thermal conductivity (0.10154 W/m·K), relatively low density (415 kg/m 3 ), and high specific heat (1.529 kJ/kg·K).

Keywords: geopolymers; insulating materials; foamed composites; diatomite; chalcedonite; natural fibres (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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