The development of a geopolymer binder from the interbasaltic laterites of Northern Ireland

It was found that such clays could result in a geopolymer binder capable of producing mortars with compressive strengths of over 70 MPa. A selection method was proposed to guide others in the field on the selection of suitable clays. The effect of curing methods on the binder were explored and a model proposed to explain the differences between air cured and covered cured geopolymer mortars.

This work enabled development of a fundamental understanding of the calcined clay geopolymer system through FTIR and SEM analysis. Finally, the scaling up of manufacturing of this new technology from lab scale to commercial production is presented. Influences of particle sizing, calciner type activator production, quality control measures and application development are presented. <br><br>This thesis has contributed to the body of research by bringing an idea regarding the use of locally available clays from initial research through to a point of production readiness and the offering of a real, low-carbon alternative to Portland cement.

The work has also resulted in the development of a model showing presenting new information on the interfacial transition zone between relic metakaolin particles and the geopolymer matrix.<br>