Utilization of Industrial By-Products/Waste to Manufacture Geopolymer Cement/Concrete

Abstract

There has been a significant movement in the past decades to develop alternative sustainable building material such as geopolymer cement/concrete to control CO2 emission. Industrial waste contains pozzolanic minerals that fulfil requirements to develop the sustainable material such as alumino-silicate based geopolymer. For example, industrial waste such as red mud, fly ash, GBFS/GGBS (granulated blast furnace slag/ground granulated blast furnace slag), rice husk ash (RHA), and bagasse ash consist of minerals that contribute to the manufacturing of geopolymer cement/concrete. A literature review was carried out to study the different industrial waste/by-products and their chemical composition, which is vital for producing geopolymer cement, and to discuss the mechanical properties of geopolymer cement/concrete manufactured using different industrial waste/by-products. The durability, financial benefits and sustainability aspects of geopolymer cement/concrete have been highlighted. As per the experimental results from the literature, the cited industrial waste has been successfully utilized for the synthesis of dry or wet geopolymers. The review revealed that that the use of fly ash, GBFS/GGBS and RHA in geopolymer concrete resulted high compressive strength (i.e., 50 MPa–70 MPa). For high strength (>70 MPa) achievement, most of the slag and ash-based geopolymer cement/concrete in synergy with nano processed waste have shown good mechanical properties and environmental resistant. The alkali-activated geopolymer slag, red mud and fly ash based geopolymer binders give a better durability performance compared with other industrial waste. Based on the sustainability indicators, most of the geopolymers developed using the industrial waste have a positive impact on the environment, society and economy.

Evaluation on the Mechanical Properties of Ground Granulated Blast Slag (GGBS) and Fly Ash Stabilized Soil via Geopolymer Process

“…The total composition of silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide is 40.9%. The calcium oxide (CaO) content in GGBS will also increase the early strength of geopolymer produced [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. GGBS and alkali activator solution reaction forms calcite (CaCO 3 ) and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) within the geopolymer matrix [ 45 , 46 ].…”

Geopolymers as Alternative Sustainable Binders for Stabilisation of Clays—A Review

“…Whereas [34] has reported a molarity of 20 as an upper limit for the activator. Furthermore, the cost effectiveness of alkali activator ingredients in terms of energy consumption has also been raised [35][36][37][38]. For example, it is reported that 39% and 49% energy consumption is associated with the production of NaOH and Na 2 SiO 3 respectively, and also contributes to the overall cost of the geopolymer.…”

“…To maintain low-cost energy requirements for these activators, an alternative waste solution that is rich in aluminosilicates can be sourced. One option is the Bayer's solution as suggested in [38].…”

Self-Immobilizing Metals Binder for Construction Made of Activated Metallurgical Slag, Slag from Lignite Coal Combustion and Ash from Biomass Combustion

“…As for the alkaline activated blast furnace slag (AAS), which, according to Davidovits [ 16 ] it is not a geopolymer, Głuchowski [ 17 ] had the greatest contribution. The development of knowledge about AAS and geopolymers continues [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. The works on the issues of CO 2 reduction in construction is carried out intensively around the world and the manufactured products have various terms: “green concrete”, “green cement” and “eco-concrete” [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”