Green synthesis of nano-silica from olivine rock and its impact on the mechanical performance of geopolymer concrete composites

Incorporating nanomaterials into geopolymer composites enhances their performance by improving microstructural properties through the formation of additional C–S–H, N–A–S–H, and C–A–S–H gels and effectively filling nanopores within the matrix. This study focuses on an innovative approach to overcome challenges associated with nanoparticle (NP) production, through the environmentally friendly synthesis of nano-silica (NS) derived from olivine rock, specifically designed for construction applications. The results revealed that amorphous NS ranging from 7.9 to 43.4 nm could be successfully produced from olivine rock. Furthermore, incorporating 2% of this NS into geopolymer concrete mixtures resulted in a notable improvement in compressive strength, with enhancements of 13.09 and 13.07% at 28 and 90 days, respectively. The findings highlight the potential of olivine rock-based NS production, which could significantly impact the construction sector by enabling the affordable integration of NPs. Consequently, this advancement has the potential to increase the use of NPs in construction, leading to enhanced durability and strength in various construction materials.