Geopolymer concrete for sustainable construction exploring materials properties challenges and future prospects

This review critically examines the potential of geopolymer concrete as a sustainable alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement-based concrete, with a focus on materials, processing, performance, and practical challenges. The paper synthesizes findings on various alumino-silicate precursors, including fly ash, slag, and metakaolin, assessing their mechanical properties, durability, and environmental benefits under different alkaline activation and curing regimes. Comparative analysis reveals that geopolymer concrete can achieve compressive strengths exceeding 60 MPa and reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 70% compared to Ordinary cement-based systems. The review also discusses key challenges such as raw material variability, long-term durability data gaps, and standardization needs that currently limit large-scale adoption. By mapping recent advances, performance trends, and research gaps, this work provides a comprehensive technical foundation for developing low-carbon, high-performance concretes for sustainable construction.