Abstract

Geopolymer is a novel engineering binder with lower environmental impacts (CO2 emission, embodied energy and global warming potential) than Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Geopolymers can be synthesized from mixing high alkaline activators by industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag as the aluminosilicate source materials. Superplasticizers (SPs) are one of the common used admixtures added to conventional OPC concrete to improve its workability, rheology and mechanical properties. SPs are intended for use with OPC paste, mortar and concrete. The suppliers of SP do not intend them to be used in geopolymer mixes since SPs are attacked by alkaline solutions and degrade rapidly. However, some SPs can be used with geopolymer with limited effectiveness. This study presents a state of the art review of the effect of different SPs on slag and fly ash based geopolymers.

Keywords:

Alkaline activator, fly ash, geopolymer, slag, superplasticizer,

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Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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