Nano-Transition Metal Oxide-Modified Geopolymer Concrete: A Comprehensive Review on Mechanisms, Performance, and Sustainability
摘要
This review systematically explores and consolidates state-of-the-art developments in nano-transition metal oxide (NTMO)-modified geopolymer concrete (GPC), emphasizing their multifunctional performance emerging beyond conventional strength and durability enhancement. The inclusion of transition metal nano-oxides such as TiO2, ZnO, Fe2O3, ZrO2, CuO, NiO, and MnO into the environmentally superior GPC synthesized from fly ash, GGBS, and metakaolin results into introduction of multimechanistic synergies—acting concurrently as nano-fillers, nucleation promoters, and functional activator. Through integrated assessment, this review shows how coordinated nano-oxide networks in single and hybrid NTMO systems provide significant microstructural enhancement and life cycle stability benefits while providing self-cleaning, antibacterial, thermoelectric, and antiradiation functionalities. Unlike earlier reviews, which were limited to only general nano-materials, this work integrates scattered NTMO studies, quantifies property–dosage correlations, and presents optimization strategies and future research pathways for predictive, data-driven multifunctional, and carbon-neutral geopolymer concretes. This study establishes NTMO-GPC as a next-generation smart material, enabling sustainable and intelligent infrastructure development.