Advancing Geopolymer Technology for Radioactive Waste Treatment: Innovations, Applications, and Challenges

Nuclear energy is crucial for meeting future energy demands as non-renewable resources dwindle and technological needs grow, with projections estimating it will contribute approximately 13% of global electricity by 2030. However, this increasing reliance on nuclear power necessitates effective management of radioactive waste, which must be securely contained for thousands of years.

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) has traditionally been used for immobilizing low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste due to its simplicity, known chemistry, and cost-effectiveness. However, its limitations—such as incompatibility with some waste streams, hydration issues, high CO₂ emissions, and susceptibility to chemical attack—highlight the need for sustainable alternatives. Geopolymers (GP), which are eco-friendly alkali-activated materials synthesized from industrial or natural aluminosilicate sources, offer a promising solution. With a robust chemical structure, low permeability, and superior resistance to heat, radiation, and harsh environments, GPs can immobilize a wide range of radionuclides and organic wastes while having the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 70% and lowering energy consumption compared to OPC.

This Research Topic is focused on showcasing advancements in geopolymer technology for radioactive waste treatment. The Topic will explore the challenges associated with OPC and how alternative cementitious materials, such as alkali-activated binders, offer a promising and sustainable solution in radioactive waste management. By bringing together this knowledge, this collection will provide insights for future research directions. We hope this Research Topic will spark discussion in the field and foster future collaborations.

We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Fundamentals of geopolymer chemistry and radionuclide immobilization mechanisms
• Encapsulation and immobilization of organic radioactive waste, and mixed organic-inorganic streams into geopolymers
• Functionalization and composite development of geopolymers to enhance radionuclide binding efficiency
• Sorption characteristics of radionuclides with geopolymers
• Long-term durability studies, lifecycle assessments, and cost-benefit analysis
• Utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize geopolymer formulations
• Comparative analysis of geopolymers and conventional cementitious materials.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: geopolymer technology, cementitious materials, radionuclide immobilization, geopolymer characterization, green synthesis, alkali-activated binders, radioactive waste, geopolymers, sorption, durability, geopolymer chemistry, radionuclide binding

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.