Towards a sustainable and high-performance geopolymer binder system through nanotechnology and waste reuse

The global market increasingly favours sustainable and strong cement composites, particularly geopolymer binders, which significantly reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and utilize industrial by-products, aligning with 'green' and 'sustainable' concepts. Despite environmental benefits and satisfactory performances, geopolymer faces challenges like brittleness and low tensile strength. Nanotechnology, particularly GO, holds promise for enhancing geopolymer properties, but GO dispersion in alkaline media needs improvement. Seeking alternative clay resources to replace popular precursors is essential for cheaper, sustainable, and easily available raw ingredients, lowering production costs. This PhD study successfully addressed geopolymer challenges, striving for a stronger, more durable, and sustainable binder.