Evaluation of the Electrical Conductivity of Geopolymers Loaded with Carbon Black

Abstract

Geopolymers are inorganic polymers, composed of aluminosilicates activated with an alkaline solution. This method gives the material three-dimensional networks that are capable of carrying out ion exchange, as well as facilitating the transfer of electric charge through the matrix, when a conductive charge is added. In this sense, geopolymers loaded with carbon black in concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20% by weight were produced and the electrical conductivity capacity was verified. The geopolymers were subjected to X-ray Diffraction and resistivity analyzes. The results showed that the geopolymers loaded with carbon black showed a decrease in resistivity due to the concentration of carbon black in the geopolymeric matrix, indicating that with increasing load, less resistive and more conductive. In addition, all analyzes were performed in triplicates, and the calculations of the mean, standard deviation and confidence limit, indicated that in all syntheses the geopolymers remained with the same efficiency.