A Comprehensive Review on Red Mud-based Geo-polymerase a Sustainable Material

Abstract

Effective waste management is crucial; every waste component can be systematically controlled to minimize its creation. The development of geo-polymer concrete offers a pathway towards achieving this objective. Methods: Geo-polymers are inorganic materials that result from the alkali activation of aluminosilicates. The alumino-silicates are sourced from naturally occurring materials and industrial waste such as fly ash, blast furnace slag, and rice husk ash. Red mud, a by-product from an alumina refining industry practically rich in alumina content, can be used as a geo-polymer material along with other calcium and silicate-rich by-products to create an excellent binding material like cement. Findings: This paper studies the properties of red mud-based geo-polymer concrete. Red mud is known for its high alkalinity; it contains significant amounts of aluminium, silicon, and iron oxides, making it a valuable material for polymerization. Incorporating red mud in the production of geopolymer concrete is anticipated to have a significant impact in the future. Studies show red mud-based geo-polymer concrete's mechanical and durability properties, drawing insights from past literature. The chemical properties of red mud were correlated with the mechanical properties of the geo-polymer concrete block. Strength comparison of red mud and fly ash-based geo-polymer and red mud-mud-metakaolin eco-polymer was made to know the optimum percentage of replacement of red mud in the geo-polymer mix. Novelty: The findings will serve as a technical framework for future experimental endeavours and a more environment-friendly construction approach, ultimately assessing its practical feasibility.