Synthesizing functionalized self-sensing geopolymer concrete in enhancing electromagnetic shielding efficiency and thermal stability

The exponential growth of electromagnetic radiation pollution from electronic devices raises a lot of concern, resulting in biological threats. This adversely affects sectors, such as aviation, military, and medical industries.

Thus, synthesizing smart, functionalized, and sustainable building materials with substantial shielding efficiency and thermal properties is needed to obtain safety and security demands.

The self-sensing capability of geopolymer concrete is obtained from the piezoelectric effect, and can be enhanced by adding functional fillers, such as graphene oxide.

Its reduced synthesis usually entails harsh chemicals and when improperly disposed,it creates a detrimental impact in the environment.

Using an eco-friendly reducing agent, such as glutathione, and cross-linking with carbonyl iron aims to produce a high piezoelectric effect with high conductivity networks.

While the surface functionalization improves both shielding efficiency and thermal stability when polydopamine is incorporated.

The MSCA GEOSENSOR Postdoctoral Fellowship aims to demonstrate proof-of-concept by providing guidelines in geopolymer mix design construction and various assessments to check the sensing abilities, surface functionalization, shielding efficiency, and thermal stability of geopolymerproducts. It is a novel technique by utilizing green materials to further improve the aforementioned geopolymer properties.

It also envisions a sustainable implementation anchored in MSCA Green Deal, resulting in lower energy usage, overall production costs, and environmental impact.

Through scale-up production, the project's contribution to the circular economy and its economic feasibility can be evaluated.

This project also addresses challenges stated by the UN SDG, such as building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation (SDG 9).