The most common types of activators used for alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. These activators have been found to be corrosive, viscous, expensive, and with high embodied energy and carbon. In addition, the properties of these activators have made the large-scale applications of AAMs possible as a result of the special handling and side effects it has on the properties of the resulting AAM.

Therefore, this review explored the use of alternative green activator used for AAMs and the effects it has on its properties. A green activator herein is classified as an activator that has a less embodied energy and carbon compared to sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide. This study shows the possibility of producing a greener AAM with enhanced strength and durability properties. In addition, it was observed that there's a considerable cost reduction with the use of the green activators compared to the conventional ones.