Photocatalytic activity of cement-bound systems

Comparison of two test methods

 The development of innovative functions in concrete should be considered under the aspect of sustainability such as, for example, the reduction of air pollutants by means of photocatalytically effective concrete surfaces. Over the course of recent years, the interest in the use of photocatalyzers has exponentially increased. This can be seen alone from the enormous increase in patents and publications in this scope. In the field of measuring technology, however, there still exists an immense backlog of work.

Up to this day, no uniformly standardized measurement and materials standards are available. Laboratory-scale measuring methods for quantifying the photocatalytic activity of surfaces are available. The results they provide are, however, only conditionally comparable.

 

Titanium dioxide as photocatalyzer

Titanium dioxide, thanks to its high whitening and covering power, is the best known and most frequently used white pigment. It is used in lacquers, paints, plastics and paper.

One specially manufactured form of titanium dioxide has been known for some time as photocatalyzer. The construction...

Related articles:

Issue 01/2015

Increasing efficiency in the degradation of airborne pollutants by photocatalytically modified concretes

1. Introduction EU legislation increasingly defines limits for airborne pollutants as our awareness of the environment is growing, which directly influences our health and well-being [1]. Vehicle...

more
Issue 09/2013

Air purification using concrete products manufactured with special cement

Nitrogen oxides (NOX) are one of the most critical groups of air pollutants in the vicinity of major urban roads. One of the options to reduce the concentration of these pollutants in the air we...

more
Issue 04/2010 Evironmentally Materials

Photocatalytic Concrete in Color

Products made of photocatalytic concrete are mainly achieved by cements that are doped with photocatalytic titanium dioxide, therefore only white and grey products are commonly available. There is...

more
Issue 02/2018 Clean cities by means of photocatalysis

Less nitrogen oxides, more beautiful surfaces

Compliance with the limits set by the EU for nitrogen oxides is still posing a challenge for cities and municipalities. Contrary to measures such as driving bans, which have a negative impact on...

more
Issue 10/2012 F. C. Nüdling

Degradation of pollutants by photocatalytic paving slabs

In densely populated areas smog and nitrogen oxides are a major problem. Even if the road traffic density slightly slackens during summer holidays, the situation remains tense. Using AirClean paving...

more