Li, Mo2018-03-052018-03-05December 22015-12December 2http://hdl.handle.net/10657/2840Geopolymers are inorganic polymers that have resulted in wide scientific interest and broad development of applications. They possess intriguing characteristics that bridge polymer science and ceramics. Many inexpensive earth-abundant minerals and industrial wastes can form geopolymers; this diversity enables a large palette of suitable ingredients to be
selected to achieve specific properties, offering a
variety of possibilities for material design. The microstructure of fully reacted K-poly(sialate-siloxo) type geopolymer is nanoporous and sponge-like, consisting of nanoparticulates ranging from 5-15 nm separated by nanopores on the order of 3 to 10 nm. The nanoparticulates features dimensions suggesting a macromolecule of definite size. Such characteristic microstructure of geopolymers leads to their unique chemical and mechanical features. While geopolymers provide great potential for applications in many fields, their long-term performance remains unaddressed. Also, the inherent brittleness of geopolymers limits their durability; inevitable cracking can be the result of one or a combination of mechanical and environmental factors. In this thesis, we aim at designing a new category of geopolymers with a “non-brittle” behavior, and understanding the mechanical and chemical responses of geopolymer to various environmental conditions including shrinkage, elevated temperature, water permeation, and corrosion of embedded steel.application/pdfengThe author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).GeopolymerStrain-hardeningDurability2018-03-05Thesisborn digital