Influence of 3% Barium Chloride as a Retarder on the Setting Time of Geopolymer Cement and Compressive Strength of Geopolymer Concrete

Addressing the issue of short setting time in geopolymer cement, this study focuses on common retarders in engineering, and explores the effect of retarders in alkali activated geopolymer cement systems, including the impact on the solidification time of geopolymer cement and the impact on the strength of geopolymer concrete after adding aggregates to prepare concrete. Using 1 and 3% Sucrose, Borax and barium chloride as retarders, comparative experiments were conducted to determine the setting time of geopolymer cement and the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete. Results indicate that, compared to Sucrose and Borax, barium chloride exhibited the most effective retarding effect on the setting time of geopolymer cement, with initial and final setting times reaching 265 and 420 min, respectively. Whatsmore, at concentrations ranging from 1 to 3%, sucrose, borax, and barium chloride as retarders had a minimal impact on the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete. This research provides a reference basis for the effectiveness and applicability of retarders in engineering applications.