TITLE:
Development of Sustainable Geopolymer Binders Using Clay and Laterite from Burkina Faso with GGBFS: A Path towards Hybrid Solutions for Low-Carbon Construction
AUTHORS:
Abdoul Rachid Lankoandé, Mouhamadou Amar, Joelle Kleib, Philippe Nongwendé Ouédraogo, Lamine Zerbo, Mahfoud Benzerzour, Nor-Edine Abriak, Sié Kam
KEYWORDS:
Clay, Laterite, Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS), Geopolymer Paste, Low-Carbon Binders
JOURNAL NAME:
Materials Sciences and Applications,
Vol.16 No.4,
April
28,
2025
ABSTRACT: The reduction of carbon emissions from traditional cement materials, particularly Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), remains a critical environmental challenge. This study explores the potential of locally sourced clays and laterites from Burkina Faso in the development of geopolymers as sustainable alternatives to conventional binders. The objective is to create geopolymers hardenable at room temperature using metakaolin derived from clay and laterite, while evaluating the influence of incorporating Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) at varying levels. Different geopolymers formulations were investigated: binders based solely on clay and laterite, and two enhanced with 5% and 10% GGBFS, respectively. Microstructural analyses, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), mercury intrusion porosimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (IRFT), were conducted to assess the stability and performance of the formulations. The results reveal the formation of amorphous mineral phases, as well as a significant improvement in mechanical strength reaching 300% and 160% respectively for clay and laterite-based formulations, following the incorporation of 10% GGBFS, compared to formulations without GGBFS. In addition, a reduction in porosity of the order of 28% for clay formulations and 45% for hybrid clay/laterite formulations was observed with the addition of 10% GGBFS compared to formulations without this addition. Geopolymers based on Burkina Faso’s clay and laterite, with or without GGBFS, demonstrate strong potential as low-carbon alternatives to OPC.