Alkali-activated Binders Research Articles

Synthesis and Characterization of an Alkali-Activated Binder from Blast Furnace Slag and Marble Waste

This study reports an alkali-activated binder including blast furnace slag (BFS) together with marble waste (MW). Cement is an industrial product that emits a significant amount of CO2 during its production and incurs high energy costs. MW is generated during the extraction, cutting, and processing of marble in production facilities, where dust mixes with water to form a settling sludge. This sludge is an environmentally harmful waste that must be disposed of in accordance with legal regulations. In this study, a substantial amount of MW, a by-product with considerable environmental and economic impacts worldwide, was utilized in the production of a binder through the alkaline activation of BFS. In doing this, different experimental parameters were tested to obtain the best binder samples according to workability and mechanical properties. Then, some experiments such as drying shrinkage determination, strength testing, and microstructure analyses were fulfilled through samples with the best values. The findings supported the improvement of the rapid-setting property of BFS by means of the addition of MW. MW reduced the time-dependent drying shrinkage values of BFS by 55%, especially in slag alkaline activation systems with a low or moderate alkali activator content. The substitution of MW (≤50%) in BFS increased flexural and compressive strengths (4.5 and 61.7 MPa), while a reference sample contained BFS only. Although the use of MW did not create a new phase, it contributed to a C-S-H bonding structure during the alkali activation of BFS in a microstructure analysis.

The confinement effect of basalt fibers for reinforced geopolymer composites: Flexural, shear and torsion capability for ductility and failure

Geopolymer concrete is a promising candidate to replace conventional concrete (CC), as geopolymer concrete is based on alkali-activated binders instead of Portland cement. The elimination of cement in the mix leads to a reduction in the release of greenhouse gases. It is known from the literature that the microscale properties of geopolymer concrete are similar to those of its counterparts. However, the structural performance of geopolymer elements should be investigated in detail. Therefore, in this study, the effect of basalt fiber ratio (%0 and %1), geopolymer mix type and stirrup (with and without stirrup) on flexural (four-point test), shear (overhanging test) and torsional (pure torsion test) behavior of RC beam were investigated. In these experiments, slag based geopolymer concrete with waste marble, geopolymer concrete with fly ash and geopolymer concrete with quartz powder were used in order to manufactured to the RC beams. The mechanical performances of RC beams were assessed by using load-deflection curves, stiffness, ductility, failure mode and crack propagations. Test results revealed that the use of basalt fiber tolerated the decrease in strength, although the shear, flexural and torsion capacity decreased if stirrups were not used in the beams. The use of fly ash in the mixture was more effective on the strength than other materials in terms of the aluminate and silicate it contained.

Performance-Based Design of Ferronickel Slag Alkali-Activated Concrete for High Thermal Load Applications.

This study aimed to develop optimized alkali-activated concrete using ferronickel slag for high-temperature applications, focusing on minimizing environmental impact while maintaining high compressive strength and slump. A response surface methodology, specifically the mixture design of experiments, was employed to optimize five components: water, FNS-based alkali-activated binder, and three aggregate sizes. Twenty concrete mixes were tested for slump and compressive strength before and after exposure to 600 °C for two hours. The optimal mix achieved 88 MPa compressive strength before heat exposure and 34 MPa after, with a slump of 140 mm. An upscaled version with improved workability (210 mm slump) maintained similar unheated strength but showed reduced post-heating strength (23.5 MPa). Replacing limestone with olivine aggregates in the upscaled mix resulted in 65 MPa unheated and 32 MPa post-heating strengths. Life Cycle Analysis revealed that the optimized ferronickel slag alkali-activated concrete's CO2 emissions were 77% lower than those of ordinary Portland cement concrete of equivalent strength. This approach demonstrated the applicability of mixture design of experiments as an alternative design methodology for alkali activated concrete, providing a valuable performance-based design tool to advance the application of alkali-activated concrete in the construction industry, where no prescriptive standards for alkali-activated ferronickel concrete mix design exist. The study concluded that the developed ferronickel slag alkali-activated concrete, obtained through a performance-based mixture design methodology, offers a promising, environmentally friendly alternative for high-strength, high-temperature applications in construction.

Mechanical and durability assessment of slag based alkali-activated binders incorporating granite dust

Mechanical and durability assessment of slag based alkali-activated binders incorporating granite dust

Fly Ash–Based Aqueous Nanosilica Enhanced Activator for Efficient Production of Room Temperature–Cured Concrete with Two-Part Alkali-Activated Binders

Fly Ash–Based Aqueous Nanosilica Enhanced Activator for Efficient Production of Room Temperature–Cured Concrete with Two-Part Alkali-Activated Binders

Preparation of slag-based alkali-activated high-temperature-resistant (600–800 °C) metal interface bonding materials by modulating CaCO3 particles

In this study, an alkali-activated binders (AABs) with excellent high-temperature performance on the surface of iron plate was prepared by using alkali-activated slag as the main material, modulating the addition of filler CaCO3 particles (CC), and using iron plate (Q235) as the coated substrate. Through characterization and analytical tests such as compressive/flexural/bond strength, XRD, TG/DSC, SEM/EDS and OM, the results showed that the bonding effect between AABs and Q235 was mainly influenced by both the internal stress of AABs and the diffusion effect of the interfacial atoms. Under the condition of not adding CC, the internal stress of AABs was much larger than the interfacial bonding force, thus causing warping and spalling at room temperature. Microscopic characterization revealed that the addition of CC reduced internal stresses and microcracks, resulting in improved interfacial bonding. Excellent bonding properties were obtained by adding 10 g of CC, with a compressive/flexural/bond strength of 6.98/0.68/0.10 MPa, and a linear shrinkage of 2.22 % after calcination at 700 °C. The crystalline transition from CaCO3 and calcium silicate hydrate to akermanite-gehlenite, merwinite and lime does not begin to take place until the calcination temperature reaches 800 °C. The failure mechanism of AABs at room temperature and high temperature was studied to provide a basis for the optimization of existing AABs and the development of high-performance AABs.

Response Surface Design Models to Predict the Strength of Iron Tailings Stabilized with an Alkali-Activated Cement

Tailing storage facilities are very complex structures whose failure generally leads to catastrophic consequences in terms of casualties, serious environmental impacts on local biodiversity, and disruptions in the mineral supply. For this reason, structures at risk must be reinforced or decommissioned. One possible option is its reinforcement with compacted filtered tailings stabilized with binders. Alkali-activated binders provide a more sustainable solution than ordinary Portland cement but require an optimization of the tailing–binder mixture, which, in some cases, can lead to a substantial experimental effort. Statistical models have been used to reduce the number of those experiments, but a rational design methodology is still lacking. This methodology to define the right mixture for a required strength should consider both the mixture components and in situ conditions. In this paper, response surface methods were used to plan and interpret unconfined compression strength test results on an iron tailing stabilized with alkali-activated binders. It was concluded that the fly ash content was the most important parameter, followed by the liquid content and sodium hydroxide concentration. From the obtained results, several statistical models were defined and compared according to the definition of a strength prediction model based on a mixture index parameter. It was interesting to observe that models with the porosity cement index still provide reasonable adjustment even when different tailings’ water contents are considered.

Alkali-Activated Binders as Sustainable Alternatives to Portland Cement and Their Resistance to Saline Water.

Alkali-activated binders have emerged as promising alternatives to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) due to their sustainability features and potential advantages. This study evaluates the durability properties of heat-cured fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) geopolymer mortars activated with sodium hydroxide, which were subjected to wet-dry cycling in saline environments. Three series of FA, a FA/GGBFS blend, and GGBFS mortars previously optimized on a compressive strength basis were investigated and compared against two control OPC mixes. Performance indicators such as the water absorption, porosity, flexural strength, and compressive strength were analyzed. The results demonstrate that geopolymer mortars have significantly reduced water absorption and porosity with increasing wet-dry cycles. The compressive strength of the FA/GGBFS mortars also increased from 66.5 MPa (untreated) to 87.9 MPa over 45 cycles. The flexural strength remained stable or improved slightly across all geopolymer mortars. The control OPC specimens experienced significant deterioration, with compressive strength in CEM I 42.5R dropping from 51.8 to 17.1 MPa. These findings highlight the superior durability of geopolymer mortars under harsh saline conditions, demonstrating their potential as a resilient alternative for coastal and marine structures.

Assessing the Durability Performance of Geopolymer Concrete Utilizing Fly Ash and Sugarcane Bagasse Ash as Sustainable Binders

Geopolymer or alkali-activated binders are being recognized as an eco-friendly, sustainable substitute for ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The development of high-performance concrete with improved durability and mechanical properties and the addition of environmentally friendly components is a continuous effort. Therefore, the current work examines the durability of fly ash-sugarcane bagasse ash mechanical characteristics in terms of water absorption, exposure to elevated temperatures, and acid resistance. The mechanical properties of the geopolymer concrete (GPC) and OPC concrete specimens were evaluated after being subjected to elevated temperatures of 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C. The acid resistance was determined by submerging the concrete specimens in 3% sulphuric acid (H2SO4). The acid resistance of the specimens was evaluated through visual inspection, weight variation, and the percentage loss in compressive strength (CR). According to the study, CR typically drops as temperature increases from ambient temperature to 800 °C. However, the rate of decline reduced as temperature increased from ambient temperature to 200 °C. Moreover, the GPC specimens showed a strength loss between 13% and 21% following 28 days of sulfuric acid immersion. In contrast, exposure to sulfuric acid caused a 51% drop in strength for the OPC concrete samples.

The influence of mechanochemical activation on the rheological properties and strength development of geopolymer

To address the significant carbon emissions caused by the cement industry and its contribution to the greenhouse effect, there is an urgent need for new construction materials that can substantially reduce the use of traditional Portland cement. Alkali-activated binders, known for their excellent performance and lower carbon footprint, have emerged as a promising alternative. Despite the numerous advantages of geopolymers, their practical application is hindered by challenges in processability required for construction techniques, such as pumping, spreading, and forming. This study focuses on enhancing the rheological properties of geopolymers through mechanochemical activation and exploring the modification mechanisms involved. Slag and fly ash raw materials were processed under different ball milling conditions, specifically varying ball milling rotation speed (BR) and ball milling time (BT). The mechanical properties, workability, and rheological behavior of geopolymer specimens were evaluated to identify the optimal milling parameters affecting these properties. Detailed analysis using XRD, SEM, and heat of hydration tests elucidated the phase composition, microstructural evolution, and thermal characteristics of mechanochemically modified geopolymers, providing insights into the fundamental mechanisms of mechanochemical activation modification. The results indicate a significant correlation between ball milling parameters and the rheological properties of geopolymers. The optimal milling regime was identified as grinding at a speed of 70r/min for 50 min. This specific milling condition imparts ideal properties to the geopolymer, including moderate yield stress (34.353 Pa), low plastic viscosity (0.452 Pa s), good thixotropy, and high 28d strength (53.28 MPa), without any significant shear thickening behavior.

One-part alkali activated binder activated by sodium metasilicate and ternary-factored sustainability of structural block

This work was designed to develop an one-part alkali-activated binder (AAB) which has obvious advantages over two-part for industrial manufacturing. In experimentation, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) was activated by anhydrous sodium metasilicate (SMS) by varying the content from (8 to 16 %). The physico-mechanical performance was evaluated at different ages, and the specimen selected exhibited higher strength than ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Then, the durability of developed AAB and OPC was evaluated by obtaining residual strength under sulphate and acidic environment exposure for up to 56 days. It was concluded that 12 % SMS resulted in 44.7 and 56.0 MPa at 7 and 28 days, respectively. The proposed binder is compared with a geopolymer-based binder, and several advantages are reported over counterparts. Under sulfate exposure of 56 days, about 28 % reduction in residual strength was observed for AAB, and it was only 8.3 % for OPC. However, comparable strength at all ages was observed for both binders under acidic exposure. A low-strength structural block was developed using a low dosage of SMS (8 − 10 %) and 50 % sand. The w/AAB ratio was reduced from 0.30 to 0.15, and a static pressure of 20 MPa was employed on a resh matrix. The block with low-SMS (8 %) fulfills the structural requirement defined by ACI and ASTM for concrete and fired clay brick, respectively. Furthermore, it was compared with a distinguished database of geopolymer-based structural blocks regarding strength, CO2 emissions, and cost. Consequently, the GGBS based AAB structural blocks disclose the least CO2 emissions and the lowest cost as well as the adequate strength.

Durability of Alkali activated concrete made using multiple precursors as primary binders

Alkali-activated binders (AABs) have been and continue to be extensively explored as an alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC), addressing environmental and sustainability issues. A large number of studies that were conducted earlier focused mainly on the mechanical properties and some durability aspects of industrial waste-based AABs. However, chloride migration and diffusion causing reinforcement corrosion in AAB-based concrete (AAC) have not been thoroughly investigated. The present study focuses on the durability of AAC produced using multiple precursors that included industrial waste materials and natural minerals such as limestone powder (LSP), red mud (RM), silicomanganese fume (SMF), and natural pozzolan (NP) activated by alkali. Firstly, the dosages of all four precursors were optimized through trials and then NP was partially replaced by 10, 20 and 30% OPC to enhance the performance of the AABs. The AAC mixtures were prepared and cured under different conditions and tested for compressive strength and durability characteristics related to chloride permeability, chloride migration, chloride diffusion, and chloride-induced reinforcement corrosion to evaluate the performances of the mixtures. The results show that the composition of the AABs and curing regimes significantly influenced the performance of the AAC. The inclusion of the OPC resulted in a very significant enhancement of the strength and durability characteristics of the AAC. In addition, there is a sharp increase in the performance of the AAC mixtures when the OPC content of the precursor was increased from 10 to 20%, irrespective of the curing method. Therefore, an optimum dosage of the OPC in the precursor can be considered as 20%, allowing utilization of 80% waste materials and natural minerals as the precursor with much higher strength and durability characteristics than traditional OPC concrete, thus saving energy and reducing environmental pollution leading to a cleaner production of concrete. Lastly, electrochemically measured corrosion potential (Ecorr ) and corrosion current density (Icorr ) values for the reinforcing bars (rebars) embedded in AAC mixtures were found to be misleading, as confirmed by visual inspection of the extracted rebars in addition to gravimetric test results. Hence, there is a need for further research to develop corrective measures before the utilization of the electrochemical-reinforced corrosion monitoring methods in the case of AACs.

Stabilization of waste foundry sand with alkali-activated binder: Mechanical behavior, microstructure and leaching

This study evaluates the stabilization of waste foundry sand (WFS) using an alkali-activated binder (AAB) produced from rice husk ash, hydrated eggshell lime, and sodium hydroxide. Mechanical properties, leaching behavior, and microstructure were assessed. The material’s durability was investigated, and the impact of wetting-drying cycles on mechanical strength and metal leaching was analyzed. The stabilized WFS fulfilled the requirements for unconfined compressive strength (qu) and accumulated loss of mass (ALM), making it suitable for use in pavement layers. Wetting-drying cycles did not significantly affect strength, and leached metal concentrations remained below toxic limits.

Mechanical and microstructural characterization of one-part binder incorporated with alkali-thermal activated red mud

The traditional production of silicate cement is associated with substantial carbon emissions and environmental degradation. In contrast, cementless alkali-activated binders, derived from solid waste and industrial byproducts, have garnered significant interest for their reduced material costs, energy efficiency, and environmental benefits. This research investigates the application potential of an advanced mixture of anhydrous sodium silicate and red mud in one-part alkali-activated binders. It is assessed through various analytical techniques, including compressive strength, X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, digital image correlation, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. Findings demonstrate that the synergy between red mud and anhydrous sodium silicate markedly enhances the early strength of one-part alkali-activated binders incorporated with alkali-thermal activation. The increment in sodium silicate content is pivotal for bolstering binder performance. A 40 % red mud admixture results in a compressive strength of 40 MPa, achieving an optimal carbon-to-strength ratio. The inclusion of polypropylene fiber significantly influences the mode of compression failure in alkali-activated binders. Alkali-thermal activation of red mud elevates the levels of active silicon and aluminum, markedly augmenting the reactive silica and aluminum content. This modification fosters the disintegration and reorganization of Si-O and Al-O bonds in silica-aluminum materials, culminating in a denser structure. This structure is characterized by the generation of amorphous ((N, C)-A-S-H) gels, contributing to the material's enhanced properties.

A hybrid technique adopted for study on the properties of alkali-activated binder concrete by using recycled concrete aggregates

ABSTRACT This manuscript presents a novel hybrid technique for assessing the geopolymer concrete’ properties incorporating recycled concrete aggregates. Named AO-GBDT, this hybrid approach combines the Aquila Optimizer (AO) and the Gradient Boosting Decision Tree algorithm. The primary objective is to reduce errors and predict the optimal strength of RCA geopolymers. The method investigates the interaction of key parameters and prediction values, like sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide to improve the binding materials. AO is specifically utilised for optimising the mixture proportions of RCA geopolymers, while GBDT is used to forecast the compressive strength of the optimised concrete mixtures. Additionally, the effects of fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) on the concrete’s hardened and fresh characteristics are investigated. Performance evaluation conducted in MATLAB demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed system, which is contrasted to existing strategy. The proposed strategy exhibits a root-mean-square error of 1.8, a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.95 and a mean absolute error of 0.9, indicating its superior predictive accuracy and efficacy compared to existing approaches.

Exploring sustainable alternatives: quarry dust and sugar cane bagasse ash in sodium and potassium-based alkali-activated binders for enhanced mechanical and durability properties

The increased use of sugarcane bagasse in electricity production has led to a significant rise in the dumping of sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA). To study the efficiency of SCBA as a supplementary material in the production of alkali-activated binders (AABs), which consist of quarry dust and crushed sand as fine aggregates, the present study investigates the influence of different activators, namely NaOH-Na2SiO3 and KOH-K2SiO3, and the effect of curing type (ambient and heat curing) on the mechanical and durability properties of quarry dust-SCBA incorporated AAB. Various tests, including compressive strength, water absorption, sorptivity, and sulphate resistance, along with X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were conducted for AAB characterization. The results revealed that the addition of 20% quarry dust as an alternative to crushed sand in AAB is found to be optimum. The ambient-cured SCBA-blended AAB specimens demonstrated superior performance compared to their heat-cured counterparts. The Na-based SCBA blended AABs outperformed K-based AABs in resisting compressive strength reduction. The compressive strength of 28 days ambient cured Na-based and K-based AABs were found to be 47.8 and 32.4 MPa, respectively. Microstructural analysis revealed that the main hydration products in Na-based AAB are C-A-S-H, C-S-H, and N-A-S-H, while in K-based AAB, the main hydration products were found to be C-A-S-H, C-S-H, and K-A-S-H, respectively. The AAB mixtures consisting 10% SCBA found with superior performance compared to other SCBA blended AABs. However, excessive SCBA usage weakened the microstructure in both Na-based and K-based AABs. The findings demonstrate the potential for utilizing waste materials, such as SCBA and quarry dust, in the development of eco-friendly and high-performance alkali-activated binders, contributing to the reduction of environmental impact caused by the construction industry.

Synthesis and characterization of alkali-activated binders with slag and waste printed circuit board

The global production of printed circuit board (PCB) is expected to rise substantially in the next decade due to the advancement in technology. The production of PCB results in generation of hazardous waste of various kinds, and one such waste is the very fine particles of the board material that is generated due to drilling and other preparatory operations. The disposal of such waste in the environment can result in serious consequences which needs attention. Therefore, recycling of waste printed circuit board (WPCB) can mitigate its harmful effects on the environment and also reduce the remediation costs. In this study, the WPCB is used as a substitute to ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) in development of alkali-activated binder. Alkali-activated binder was synthesized with GGBFS, WPCB, sodium hydroxide sol. (NaOH), and sodium silicate sol. (Na2SiO3). GGBFS was replaced with WPCB at replacement rates of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% by volume. Additionally, the effect of varying concentration of NaOH and Na2SiO3 on the physical and mechanical performance of the binder was studied. The developed binders were evaluated for workability, strength, water absorption, and efflorescence properties. Further, to ascertain its safety on the environment, the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test was also performed. The results indicate that WPCB characteristics are compatible with GGBFS in terms of its particle size distribution. Moreover, the replacement of GGBFS with up to 20% WPCB provides desirable properties for the alkali-activated binder. However, higher replacements are not recommended, since it had detrimental effect on the mechanical performance of the binder. The study revealed that desirable performance can be achieved for binders with 8 M NaOH and with Na2SiO3 to NaOH ratio of 2, and up to 20% GGBFS replaced with WPCB. The results of TCLP test disclose that the contaminant in the leachate from alkali-activated binders with WPCB are within regulatory limits, and do not pose any threat to the environment. Finally, the outcome of this study provides an innovative approach towards formulation of eco-friendly binder for various construction applications such as foundations, buildings, bridges, pavements, etc.

Sustainability evaluation and life cycle assessment of concretes including pozzolanic by-products and alkali-activated binders

The construction industry's top priorities for achieving a sustainable future include minimizing the use of non-renewable resources, managing waste generation, and reducing related gas emissions. This fact emphasizes the need for using natural materials such as pozzolan as a substitute or supplemental component in the production of Portland cement concrete. This study presents a review of evaluating the sustainability performance and life cycle assessment of pozzolan-based concrete compared with ordinary Portland cement concrete using the preference selection index approach and evaluating CO2 gas emissions during material life cycle stages. Furthermore, the durability and environmental effects of using pozzolan in concrete were comprehensively investigated. The advantages of using Pozzolans-based concrete in the development of sustainability aspects have been precisely predicted through the application of the PSI method, which depends on several criteria based on the properties of different cement types. It was discovered that substituting pozzolanic material for a portion of Portland cement when producing concrete significantly reduces the environmental effects (i.e., energy use and carbon dioxide emissions).

Development of innovative alkali activated paste reinforced with polyethylene fibers for concrete crack repair.

Concrete structures are susceptible to cracking, which can compromise their integrity and durability. Repairing them with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) paste causes shrinkage cracks to appear in the repaired surface. Alkali-activated binders offer a promising solution for repairing such cracks. This study aims to develop an alkali-activated paste (AAP) and investigate its effectiveness in repairing concrete cracks. AAPs, featuring varying percentages (0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 1.25%, 1.5%, and 1.75%) of polyethylene (PE) fibers, are found to exhibit characteristics such as strain hardening, multiple plane cracking in tension and flexure tests, and stress-strain softening in compression tests. AAP without PE fibers experienced catastrophic failure in tension and flexure, preventing the determination of its stress-strain relationship. Notably, AAPs with 1.25% PE fibers demonstrated the highest tensile and flexural strength, exceeding that of 0.5% PE fiber reinforced AAP by 100% in tension and 70% in flexure. While 1% PE fibers resulted in the highest compressive strength, surpassing AAP without fibers by 17%. To evaluate the repair performance of AAP, OPC cubes were cast with pre-formed cracks. These cracks were induced by placing steel plates during casting and were designed to be full and half-length with widths of 1.5 mm and 3 mm. AAP both with and without PE fibers led to a substantial improvement in compressive strength, reducing the initial strength loss of 30%-50% before repair to a diminished range of 2%-20% post-repair. The impact of PE fiber content on the compressive strength of repaired OPC cube is marginal, providing more flexibility in using AAP with any fiber percentage while still achieving effective concrete crack repair. Considering economic and environmental factors, along with observed mechanical enhancements, AAPs show promising potential for widespread use in concrete repair and related applications, contributing valuable insights to the field of sustainable construction materials.

Developments in biochar incorporated geopolymers and alkali activated materials: A systematic literature review

Annually, industries related to agricultural products generate substantial volumes of waste biomass, presenting critical challenges for solid waste management due to its environmental and health implications. Pyrolysis emerges as a significant technique for converting such waste into biochar (BC), a material with notable internal microstructure, porosity, and chemical properties, contingent on the feedstock and processing conditions. BC is recognized for its exceptional water retention and alkalinity, primarily utilized for soil enhancement and fertilization. Its application across various fields, particularly in enhancement for sustainability, has gained momentum. This review meticulously explores BC's role in sustainable composites, focusing on geopolymers and alkali-activated binders through a comprehensive examination of existing literature, underscored by bibliometric analysis. This pioneering review, leveraging the PRISMA framework and VOSviewer for bibliometric insights, aims to bridge the research gap in this evolving domain, offering a critical assessment of BC's integration in sustainable construction materials, its challenges, and future research directions. Hence, this pioneering systematic review represents the first-ever exploration within the research domain of BC's applications in geopolymers and alkali-activated materials, marking a foundational step toward understanding its potential and challenges in sustainable engineering practices.