Use of Organic Dyes to Color the Metakaolin‐Based Geopolymer: A Physico‐Chemical Characterization

Abstract

Geopolymers or inorganic aluminosilicate polymers have attracted great interest for their high versatility. The use of geopolymers for cultural heritage restoration purposes is mainly related to ancient buildings. No cases in the literature report the synthesis of colored geopolymers for painting or mosaic restoration. In this preliminary study, the suitability to synthesize colored geopolymers is investigated by the use of organic pH indicator solutions as dyeing agents for white metakaolin‐based geopolymers cured at 25 °C and aged for 56 days. The physicochemical properties are analyzed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), pH, ionic conductivity (IC), integrity, and weight loss tests.