Porous geopolymer composites: A review

Porous geopolymers have emerged as one of the most promising inorganic porous materials over the last decade, due to their inexpensive and easy fabrication process, suitable properties, thermal and chemical stability, and extensive applications. To further improve or optimize the properties of porous geopolymers or to endow them with new functionalities, a significant effort has been devoted to the exploitation and application of porous geopolymer composite materials. This review article highlights the current state-of-the-art in the field of porous geopolymer composites manufacturing methods (direct foaming, embedding lightweight (porous) fillers, additive manufacturing, etc.), properties (mechanical properties, thermal properties, adsorption properties, and others), and applications. With the summary and analysis of previous research literature, this review aims to foster further investigations into developing innovative routes for the fabrication of porous geopolymer components with improved properties and to encourage the widespread technological application of these materials.