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Modifying alkali-activated materials with reactive MgO: A comprehensive overview of mechanisms and performance
1Building Materials Research and Quality Control Institute, Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC), Cairo, Egypt. alaarashad@yahoo.com.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
|March 26, 2026
Summary
Reactive magnesium oxide (MgO) enhances alkali-activated materials (AAMs) by improving stability and reducing shrinkage. This review details MgO
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Construction Materials
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) offer a sustainable alternative to Portland cement but face challenges in volumetric stability, shrinkage, and reaction kinetics.
- Reactive magnesium oxide (MgO) is explored as a multifunctional additive to overcome these limitations in AAMs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of magnesium oxide's role in alkali-activated materials.
- To analyze MgO's influence on hydration mechanisms, fresh properties, mechanical performance, volumetric stability, and durability.
- To synthesize interactions between MgO, activators, and precursors for designing advanced AAM binders.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on magnesium oxide in alkali-activated materials.
- Analysis of hydration mechanisms, including brucite formation and alkalinity enhancement.
- Evaluation of MgO's impact on fresh properties, mechanical strength, shrinkage, and durability indicators (e.g., chloride binding, carbonation resistance).
Main Results:
- MgO hydration produces expansive brucite, mitigating shrinkage and refining pore structure.
- MgO increases alkalinity in near-neutral systems, accelerating reaction kinetics.
- Optimal MgO dosage is system-dependent, influencing strength and durability; moderate dosages generally enhance performance.
Conclusions:
- Magnesium oxide is a versatile component for improving the performance and durability of alkali-activated materials.
- MgO's effectiveness is contingent on its reactivity, particle size, activator chemistry, and precursor composition.
- Optimized use of MgO can lead to more stable, durable, and sustainable low-carbon binders.
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