Air purification potential and weathering resistance of a TiO2 coating applied on aerated concrete

Title: Air purification potential and weathering resistance of a TiO2 coating applied on aerated concrete
Author(s): A. Maury-Ramirez, K. Demeestere, N. De Belie
Paper category : conference
Book title: International RILEM Conference on Advances in Construction Materials Through Science and Engineering
Editor(s): Christopher Leung and K.T. WAN
ISBN: 978-2-35158-116-2
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-117-9
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2011
Pages: 659 - 664
Total Pages: 6
Nb references: 5
Language: English

Abstract: The use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) coatings on cementitious materials has received considerable attention because air purification, self-cleaning and antimicrobial properties have been obtained under light irradiation. Concerning the air purification properties, these photocatalytic coatings have been able to efficiently degrade harmful pollutants from air such as NOx, SO2, and VOCs. Although these are important achievements to move forward to in-situ tests or real applications, the weathering resistance and air purification potential after weathering, which is indispensable information, have been only reported in very few cases. In this work, a TiO2 dip-coating applied on aerated concrete samples was investigated in relation to its air purification potential and respective weathering resistance. The air purification potential was evaluated using toluene as a representative aromatic VOC. On the other hand, the weathering resistance of the coating was estimated by weight differences from the coated concrete samples before and after they were submitted to an accelerated weathering process. Complementary information was obtained by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) analyses. Results indicate a significant weathering, while almost no effect in toluene removal efficiency was noticed. Complete toluene elimination (approx. 95%) was reached before and after the application of the weathering process.

Online publication: 2011-10-31
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00