Impact of Nanoparticles on Performance of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Mortar

In response to the growing demand for sustainable construction materials, this study explores the transformative potential of nanoparticles, specifically nano silica and Nano clay, to enhance the mechanical and durability properties of metakaolin-based geopolymer mortar without heat curing. Geopolymer mortars incorporating 2.5% and 5% Nano silica and Nano clay were evaluated for compressive strength, tensile strength and water absorption. Mixture with 5% nano silica exhibited the most significant improvements, achieving compressive and tensile strengths of 36 MPa and 3.5 MPa, alongside the lowest water absorption of 4.65%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) further confirmed the formation of a denser microstructure leading to reduction in porosity and strengthening the base material. These findings underscore the critical role of nanoparticles in advancing metakaolin-based geopolymers, offering a promising path toward high-performance construction materials with superior mechanical properties and durability.