Polysilates, or "geopolymers" are an up-and-coming, relatively new, ceramic-like material that is starting to draw attention outside a community of specialised researchers for its unusual properties, strength and environmental impact. The first distinction is that geopolymer materials can be made at room temperature without firing. This low-temperature, and hence, low energy requirement, is a big reason for taking an interest in these materials. Furthermore, in their impure form, geopolymers are a possible partial solution to excess carbon dioxide production and global warming often associated with ordinary portland cement processing. The production of one ton of OPC liberates around one ton of CO2 into the atmosphere because of decomposition of carbonates.
