A comprehensive review of synthesis kinetics and formation mechanism of geopolymers is presented. Geopolymers are synthesized through alkali or acid activation of aluminosilicate materials. The review critically examines the synthesis kinetics and formation mechanisms of geopolymers, utilizing various mechanistic tools and phenomenological models. Mechanistic tools such as Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM), in situ Energy Dispersive X-ray diffractometry (EDXRD), in situ Isothermal Conduction Calorimetry (ICC), in situ Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) were used to study geopolymerization kinetics. Phenomenological models such as the John-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) model, modified Jandar model, and exponential and Knudson linear dispersion models were also employed. The formation mechanism consists of three to four stages: dissolution of raw materials, polymerization of silica and alumina, condensation, and reorganization. The Si/Al ratio above the reactant's Si/Al ratio is more suitable, increasing the reaction rate and compressive strength. The Na/Al ratio of 1, water-to-solid (W/S) ratio of 0.30–0.45, temperature of 30–85 °C, and curing time of 24 hours are optimal for geopolymer synthesis. The review includes over 150 studies and 30 critical analyses on geopolymerization kinetics and mechanisms. The synthesis of geopolymers involves dissolution, gelation, and condensation reactions. The properties of geopolymers depend on raw materials, compositions, and curing conditions. Geopolymers have rapid setting, high strength, thermal and chemical resistance, low permeability, and heavy metal stabilization. They are used in construction, wastewater treatment, coatings, fertilizers, catalysis, and CO₂ capture. The review discusses the effects of parameters such as Si/Al, Na/Al, W/S, temperature, and curing time on geopolymerization. The review highlights the importance of understanding synthesis kinetics for designing and optimizing materials. The mechanisms of geopolymerization involve dissolution, condensation, and reorganization. The review also discusses the limitations of current techniques and the need for new methods to better understand geopolymerization. The review concludes that the geopolymerization mechanism consists of three to four stages, depending on the type of aluminosilicate and alkali used.A comprehensive review of synthesis kinetics and formation mechanism of geopolymers is presented. Geopolymers are synthesized through alkali or acid activation of aluminosilicate materials. The review critically examines the synthesis kinetics and formation mechanisms of geopolymers, utilizing various mechanistic tools and phenomenological models. Mechanistic tools such as Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM), in situ Energy Dispersive X-ray diffractometry (EDXRD), in situ Isothermal Conduction Calorimetry (ICC), in situ Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) were used to study geopolymerization kinetics. Phenomenological models such as the John-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) model, modified Jandar model, and exponential and Knudson linear dispersion models were also employed. The formation mechanism consists of three to four stages: dissolution of raw materials, polymerization of silica and alumina, condensation, and reorganization. The Si/Al ratio above the reactant's Si/Al ratio is more suitable, increasing the reaction rate and compressive strength. The Na/Al ratio of 1, water-to-solid (W/S) ratio of 0.30–0.45, temperature of 30–85 °C, and curing time of 24 hours are optimal for geopolymer synthesis. The review includes over 150 studies and 30 critical analyses on geopolymerization kinetics and mechanisms. The synthesis of geopolymers involves dissolution, gelation, and condensation reactions. The properties of geopolymers depend on raw materials, compositions, and curing conditions. Geopolymers have rapid setting, high strength, thermal and chemical resistance, low permeability, and heavy metal stabilization. They are used in construction, wastewater treatment, coatings, fertilizers, catalysis, and CO₂ capture. The review discusses the effects of parameters such as Si/Al, Na/Al, W/S, temperature, and curing time on geopolymerization. The review highlights the importance of understanding synthesis kinetics for designing and optimizing materials. The mechanisms of geopolymerization involve dissolution, condensation, and reorganization. The review also discusses the limitations of current techniques and the need for new methods to better understand geopolymerization. The review concludes that the geopolymerization mechanism consists of three to four stages, depending on the type of aluminosilicate and alkali used.