Geopolymer composites for marine application: Structural properties and durability

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In marine environments, traditional ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and reinforced concrete structures are prone to corrosion, reducing their durability and service life dramatically. Geopolymers, with exceptional corrosion resistance, have great value and application potential in marine engineering. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the research advances on geopolymer cements and concretes in marine environments in terms of mechanical properties, durability, and structural properties. The research so far has demonstrated that geopolymers exhibit superior mechanical properties and durability due to their denser interface and lower porosity compared to OPC. However, geopolymers have significant brittleness defects, and their performance in marine environments, especially in splash and tidal zones with alternating wet and dry conditions, is severely affected. This is due to the influence of chloride ions, divalent cations, pH, and sulfate in seawater, which promote or inhibit the formation and transformation of reaction products and microstructures, thereby affecting their mechanical properties and stability. Nevertheless, the use of composite technologies such as modified precursors, fibers, and nanomaterials has a positive effect on enhancing their structural properties and durability. This provides guidance and solutions for the application of high-durability, low-carbon emission, and more sustainable building materials in maritime engineering.