Geopolymer has superior properties such as lightweight, high strength, low thermal conductivity, fire resistance and corrosion resistance, which makes it an ideal candidate of inorganic binders in fireproof coating for steel structure. Tn this study, inorganic fireproof coating is obtained by using metakaolin-based geopolymer binder, and the influence of silica fume on the structures and properties of the coatings is researched. Results show that silica fume could further reduce the dry density and thermal conductivity of fireproof coating, however, mechanical properties and fire resistance are all improved. Tn addition, the addition of silica fume greatly improves the bonding strength of the fireproof coating, and avoids the surface cracking and peeling problems of metakaolin-based geopolymer thin fireproof coating. Fireproof coating prepared by metakaolin and silica fume with the mass ratio of 1:1 has optimal comprehensive performance, including 619 kg/m1' of dry density, ().1388 W/(m • K) of the thermal conductivity. 6.1 MPa of the compressive strength, ().4 MPa of the bonding strength and below 251 °C of the maximum backfire temperature within 1 h flame. Pore size formed by the stacking of submicron silica fume particles is much smaller, and silica fume particles could also fill large pores in geopolymer matrix. On the other hand, silica fume could participate in the geopolymerization reaction to increase the Si/Al ratio of geopolymer gel and the content of gel phase, thus improving the performance of metakaolin-based geopolymer fireproof coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]