Effect of Alkaline Solutions on Bentonite-Based Eco-Friendly Geopolymer Composite

Abstract

Geopolymers, a new class of green cement binders, has recently been promoted as an environmentally friendly alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), with the potential to reduce OPC's negative environmental effects, such as carbon footprint and energy consumption. In this experimental work, the effects of several alkaline activator solutions on the compressive, indirect tensile, and flexural strengths, water absorption, and acid resistance of bentonite-based Geopolymer Concrete (GPC) were investigated. A new sort of alkaline activator for GPC was also created. GPC specimens consisting of bentonite were created and cured at 90 degrees Celsius in this case. The results showed that the addition of NaOH to the mixture after 3 minutes of mixing KOH and Na2SiO3 with dry components (1/3 of the total mixing time) increases the compressive, tensile, and flexural strength and we also see that with this new method, water absorption capacity and the amount of weight loss of geopolymer concrete samples are reduced in acidic conditions.