Recent Progress in Geopolymer Concrete Technology: A Review

The production of Portland cement (PC) is a major contributor to global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. Addressing these environmental concerns necessitates the exploration of alternative cement. Consequently, geopolymer cement concrete (GPC) has emerged as a promising candidate due to its reduced carbon footprint and performance comparable to PC. This comprehensive review delves into the advancements and practical applications of geopolymer concretes, with a primary focus on evaluating the physical, fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of GPC. Additionally, this review addresses the chemistry and structure of geopolymers, their reaction mechanisms, and the basic components employed in their manufacturing processes. Collective findings from all the reviewed papers consistently reveal that GPC exhibits excellent mechanical strength, on par with PC, yet with significantly reduced CO₂ release during production. Furthermore, GPCs showcase similar or improved physical characteristics, indicating their potential for diverse construction applications. Notably, these findings underscore the favorable durability properties of GPC, suggesting its suitability for long-term performance in challenging environments. This review consolidates recent significant progress in geopolymer technology, emphasizing its potential as a sustainable alternative to PC. An in-depth analysis is provided regarding the physical, fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of GPC, including a nuanced examination of the strengths and weaknesses of each property. Notably, the advancements in chemistry and manufacturing techniques have positioned GPC as a viable alternative to traditional PC. Finally, this study recommends prospective current and future applications while recognizing earlier successful uses of geopolymers that have been effectively developed.