Concrete with photocatalytic properties is revolutionizing our understanding of building materials. Concrete is no longer just concrete; it’s a clever material with special qualities that have advantages for the environment and the eyes. By dissolving pollutants, this novel concrete keeps surfaces cleaner and the air fresher.
Envision a city where structures that receive sunlight naturally contribute to air purification. This is the potential of photocatalytic concrete, which lowers airborne pollutants through chemical reactions sparked by sunlight. It’s a novel take on an antiquated subject that offers new insights into sustainability and urban planning.
Photocatalytic concrete is becoming more popular because of its potential to enhance urban living, whether it is utilized in facades, pavements, or other architectural components. With the growing population and growing concerns about pollution, this material provides a workable way to help reduce environmental problems.
| Feature | Description |
| Pollution Reduction | Photocatalytic concrete breaks down pollutants in the air, helping to reduce smog and improve air quality. |
| Self-Cleaning | This type of concrete stays cleaner for longer periods, as it can break down organic matter like dirt and grime. |
| Durability | It offers enhanced durability, making it a long-lasting choice for various applications. |
| Energy Efficiency | Photocatalytic properties can reflect heat, potentially reducing the need for cooling in buildings. |
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Photocatalytic concrete – what is it?
Photocatalytic concrete is a novel concept that is entirely unknown to regular builders, who are our fellow countrymen. Despite the fact that this term has been used in the business world for more than five years.
What sort of beast, then, is this, given its enigmatic and complicated name:
- So concrete was named in honor of the chemical process – photocatalysis, which occurs in its structure under the influence of light. Namely, as soon as the sun"s rays hit the surface of such concrete, a chemical reaction occurs that breaks down any contaminants – dust, dirt, mold, bacteria, etc.
- In addition, such concrete is able to process microparticles of carbon dioxide and exhaust gases, cleaning the air from pollution around it. This property has not yet been studied much, but the developers promise that they will soon improve it by introducing additional catalysts into the concrete.
- But these are not all the wonderful properties of such photocatalytic concrete. It is also distinguished by the feature of self-washing. This characteristic of the material is available due to the change in the angle of wetting under the influence of natural sunlight.
The angle formed by a liquid drop and the solid base it is situated on is known as the angle of wetting. In concrete with photocatalysis, it ranges from 80% to 0. These properties facilitate the periodic collection of moisture on the surface and its subsequent sliding off, while concurrently eliminating preexisting contaminants.
- Developers from the company "Andervision" claim that in sunny weather such processes occur at 90%, when on cloudy days only at 70%. But they are unchanged, and occur daily without failures and "days off".
You can keep photocatalytic concrete’s pristine white color by letting this process occur at the microscopic level. On a sunny day, you can also observe how the white surface reflects the sun’s rays, illuminating the surrounding area.
The use of photocatalytic concrete is transforming our understanding of building materials. This unique concrete breaks down pollutants in the air to help clean the air while also providing structural support. Photocatalysts are incorporated into the concrete. This technology preserves the longevity and usability of conventional concrete while providing a sustainable response to urban pollution, making our cities healthier and cleaner.
Everything ingenious is simple
Concrete appears to have amazing air-purification and self-cleaning properties, making it every housewife’s dream. By adding titanium dioxide to the working composition in tandem with additional catalysts, which both stabilize it and initiate additional photocatalytic processes, scientists and architects have been able to manifest such properties.
Moreover, the actual titanium dioxide is dosed in a nanodispersed form. Because of its granulation, this chemical element is a great semiconductor for sunlight, which in turn sets off a series of oxidations and chemical reactions that result in the formation of hydroxyl free radicals. By dissolving gases and impurities, they purify the surrounding air.
Both the chemical element itself and its combination with concrete cannot be regarded as innovations in the construction industry. Titanium dioxide is used as a dye to create white artificial stone, which merely whitens the gray structure, as anyone familiar with industrial pigments knows. It also serves as the foundation for white cement, which is most frequently used to make decorative elements out of concrete that has a rich, pure color.
TiO2 is well-known as a pigment outside of the building sector as well. Designing solar panels, implants, water and air purification filters, cosmetics, and, of course, self-cleaning surfaces all make use of it.
Polish researchers just need to find the "perfect recipe" to turn titanium dioxide into a form that is more advantageous for dosing in concrete in order to revolutionize the building industry once again.
In order to solve environmental issues, photocatalytic concrete is an innovative development in the construction sector that combines conventional materials and cutting-edge technology. This variety of concrete actively promotes cleaner air and surfaces in addition to being a strong building material by utilizing photocatalysis.
Its capacity to degrade pollutants in the presence of sunlight is essential to its functioning, which makes it an important tool in cities where air quality is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. Because of this, it is a sensible option for environmentally friendly building projects that enhance urban living environments.
Photocatalytic concrete offers a glimpse into the future of construction, where innovation meets sustainability, as more cities and builders investigate eco-friendly materials. This fusion of the old and the new shows that materials we use can have an impact that goes beyond their intended use, opening the door to healthier, greener environments.
