Assessing Distinctive Physiochemical Properties of Geopolymers, Their Green Development and Utilization in Wastewater Treatment

ABSTRACT The quest for better and advanced materials that comply with economic and environmental sustainability principles has led to the development of several materials, including geopolymers. Derived from aluminosilicates and acid/alkali activators, geopolymers have proven to be a good alternative to several materials, to be environmentally benign and cheap to produce as they can be produced from valorizing waste. It is therefore necessary to know more about geopolymers to facilitate their industrial application and commercialization. In this regard, the paper reviews the physicochemical characteristics of geopolymers to fine‐tune them to specific applications, especially in wastewater treatment. The paper critically and comparatively analyses the difference between geopolymers and alkali‐activated materials, the alternative substrates for geopolymerization and greener ways for developing geopolymers. The paper further discusses the application of geopolymers to wastewater treatment and the mechanisms through which geopolymers remove impurities from wastewater.