Physico-mechanical and microstructural properties of sodium sulfate activated materials: A review

Alkali-activated composites are promising sustainable alternatives that can be utilized as a replacement for Portland cement materials. Alkali-activated composites are made with a binder obtained from the alkali activation of aluminosilicate precursors. However, the types of conventional activators used posed a huge challenge due to their high embodied energy and carbon. On the other hand, sodium sulphate which exists naturally in the environment and does not require complicated production systems can be utilized as a sustainable alternative activator in the production of alkali-activated composites. Compared to the use of conventional activators in the production of alkali-activated composites, the use of sodium sulphate is limited. Hence, in order to gear more research, developments, and applications of alkali-activated composites produced with sodium sulphate as an activator; this review was carried out. In this overview, the performance of sodium sulphate-activated composites in terms of its fresh and hardened properties is discussed. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.