Study on Photo catalytic Self-Cleaning concrete using Titanium Dioxide
IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CLEANING
Air pollution has given negative implication for human health. Major pollutants that are
produces from human activity are nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO 2), volatile organic
compound (VOCs), etc. Therefore, when photo catalytic reactions absorb UV from the sun,
thehydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions are formed which have the ability to react with
pollutant molecules such as SOx, NOx, and etc. Nowadays, atmospheric pollution also causes the
external decay of buildings due to the deposition of organic matter and contaminants. Self-
cleaning concrete has a potential to keep the city clean by reducing the air pollutants. Due to its
properties, self-cleaning can save maintenance cost, thus extent the lifetime of the products.
Moreover, self-cleaning also can reduce the heat that builds up on building with reflect more light,
therefore, help in keeping city become cooler during hot season. Photo catalysts will remove
odours and indoor air quality, so that, the city will become clean and beautiful. The photocatalyst
that involved in self-cleaning are also being used to purify water and fight the disease by reducing
the spread of germs. The developments of photo catalytic cements have given an impact to
depollution effect.
Self-cleaning are widely used in cementitious materials because it improve the mechanical
properties and performance due to its properties. There is a study reported that mechanical
properties of TiO2 nanoparticles that added partially into cement are increase in tensile and
flexural strength of the cement mortar. There are a review about efficiencies of self-cleaning when
TiO2 are added to mortars or concretes. Most of TiO2 mixed in mortars and concretes are remain
unutilized because TiO2 only active when exposed to light irradiation. There are also a few
research studied about the addition of TiO2 as coatings because coating layer are direct contact
and exposed to pollutant. The result shows the concrete or mortar, which is covered by TiO2 are
less affected by cement hydration products. TiO2 mixing with nano-particles are widely utilized to
produce concrete pavements, thus contribute to mitigate urban air pollution. White cement with
addition of TiO2 is used at the surface of buildings that can attribute to the durability of the visual
1
Dept. of Civil Engineering, SIMAT Vavanoor
IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CLEANING
Air pollution has given negative implication for human health. Major pollutants that are
produces from human activity are nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO 2), volatile organic
compound (VOCs), etc. Therefore, when photo catalytic reactions absorb UV from the sun,
thehydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions are formed which have the ability to react with
pollutant molecules such as SOx, NOx, and etc. Nowadays, atmospheric pollution also causes the
external decay of buildings due to the deposition of organic matter and contaminants. Self-
cleaning concrete has a potential to keep the city clean by reducing the air pollutants. Due to its
properties, self-cleaning can save maintenance cost, thus extent the lifetime of the products.
Moreover, self-cleaning also can reduce the heat that builds up on building with reflect more light,
therefore, help in keeping city become cooler during hot season. Photo catalysts will remove
odours and indoor air quality, so that, the city will become clean and beautiful. The photocatalyst
that involved in self-cleaning are also being used to purify water and fight the disease by reducing
the spread of germs. The developments of photo catalytic cements have given an impact to
depollution effect.
Self-cleaning are widely used in cementitious materials because it improve the mechanical
properties and performance due to its properties. There is a study reported that mechanical
properties of TiO2 nanoparticles that added partially into cement are increase in tensile and
flexural strength of the cement mortar. There are a review about efficiencies of self-cleaning when
TiO2 are added to mortars or concretes. Most of TiO2 mixed in mortars and concretes are remain
unutilized because TiO2 only active when exposed to light irradiation. There are also a few
research studied about the addition of TiO2 as coatings because coating layer are direct contact
and exposed to pollutant. The result shows the concrete or mortar, which is covered by TiO2 are
less affected by cement hydration products. TiO2 mixing with nano-particles are widely utilized to
produce concrete pavements, thus contribute to mitigate urban air pollution. White cement with
addition of TiO2 is used at the surface of buildings that can attribute to the durability of the visual
1
Dept. of Civil Engineering, SIMAT Vavanoor
