Use of photocatalytic cementitious materials for self-cleaning applications

Author(s): G. L. Guerrini, A. Plassais, C. Pepe, L. Cassar
Paper category : conference
Book title: International RILEM Symposium on Photocatalysis, Environment and Construction Materials - TDP 2007
Editor(s): P. Baglioni and L. Casssar
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-056-1
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-057-8
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2007
Pages: 219 - 226
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: Photocatalysis has been applied for over a decade to various materials – among which cementitious binders – to obtain a “self cleaning” (or more just, a “maintenance or originary colour of the surface”) and, more recently, a “depolluting” effect in building materials.
In particular, the innovative utilization of a system comprising TiO2 and cement has been developed to maintain the aesthetic characteristics of concrete structures, particularly those base on white cement or on light colour grey cement. The addition of TiO2 in the cement bulk does not modify the mechanical properties at both fresh and hardened state as well as the technology of concrete casting.
As to the maintenance or original surface colour, the first development of photocatalytic cement-based materials dates back to 1996 (the Church “Dives in Misericordia” in Rome, Italy). Afterwards, several buildings have been built with the same purpose. Among them, the “Cité de la Musique et des Beaux Arts” (Music and Art City Hall) in Chambéry, 2001, is the most representative example built in France.
In this paper, the use of the photocatalytic principle for manufacturing a wide range of cementitious products for the building sector is first described.
Some examples of applications will be also reported.
Afterwards, the results referred to the colorimetric monitoring programme of the two mentioned realizations – which is still in progress – are reported: Indeed, they seem to demonstrate the validity of this approach.

Online publication: 2011-07-01
Publication type : full_text
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