Inorganic geopolymers and organic interstellar dust analogues are two novel families of complex polymeric materials. Geopolymers are condensed alumino-silicates, synthesized by the alkali activation of waste slag and fly-ash. Interest in these materials stems from their potential as a zero-carbon alternative to ordinary Portland cement. Here we present a detailed multinuclear (29SI, 27Al, 23Na and 1H) and multidimensional NMR investigation of the structure of two distinct geopolymers synthesized from slag and fly-ash. Insights from NMR are coupled with different microscopy and diffraction techniques to reveal unparalleled details of their local and long range structure. The space between stars, known as the interstellar medium, is filled at a low density of ~103 atoms/cm3, of which &lt;1% comprises carbon. However a high photon flux ionizes small organic molecules such as acetylene, which condense to form large and complex polymeric structures known as interstellar dust, whose structure is a subject of much debate. By synthesizing interstellar dust analogues (ISDA) in an ionization chamber which mimics the conditions of the interstellar medium, NMR is able to yield novel insights on their structures. Here we present for the first time detailed 13C NMR investigations of ISDA synthesized from acetylene and isoprene precursors, and elucidate the distinct structures formed from these two materials.

Polymers from earth and space

255th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.