Influence of Coarse Aggregate Exposure on Air Purification Efficiency in Photocatalytic Cement Composites
This study investigated how the surface characteristics of photocatalytic cementitious composites influenced the effectiveness of air purification from nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>x</sub>), with a particular focus on the impact of coarse aggregate exposure on the photoactive surface. Air pur...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
|
| Series: | Buildings |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/11/3639 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1846154031430369280 |
|---|---|
| author | Karol Chilmon Maciej Kalinowski Wioletta Jackiewicz-Rek |
| author_facet | Karol Chilmon Maciej Kalinowski Wioletta Jackiewicz-Rek |
| author_sort | Karol Chilmon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigated how the surface characteristics of photocatalytic cementitious composites influenced the effectiveness of air purification from nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>x</sub>), with a particular focus on the impact of coarse aggregate exposure on the photoactive surface. Air purification efficiency tests were conducted using a custom-developed procedure that simulated NO<sub>x</sub> concentrations and UV irradiance typical of autumn and winter conditions in Warsaw, Poland. The findings revealed that the extent of exposed coarse aggregate on the photoactive surface significantly affected photocatalytic efficiency, reducing the overall NO removal rate by up to 50% compared to the reference value. The use of hydration retarders modified the surface characteristics of the photocatalytic cement matrix, enhancing its photoactive potential. The observed decline in photocatalytic efficiency in composites with exposed coarse aggregate was attributed to the coarse aggregate’s limited ability to retain nanometric photocatalyst particles, which reduced the overall TiO<sub>2</sub> content in the composite’s near-surface layer. Nevertheless, cementitious composites incorporating a first-generation photocatalyst exhibited substantial photocatalytic activity, achieving NO removal rates of up to 340 µg/m<sup>2</sup>·h for non-exposed variants and up to 175 µg/m<sup>2</sup>·h for variants with exposed aggregate. These results demonstrated their functionality even under low-intensity UV-A irradiation (1 W/m<sup>2</sup>), making them suitable for environments with limited sunlight exposure. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7a021ca37ec04c7d9b88fc9d51f81e8a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-7a021ca37ec04c7d9b88fc9d51f81e8a2024-11-26T17:56:26ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092024-11-011411363910.3390/buildings14113639Influence of Coarse Aggregate Exposure on Air Purification Efficiency in Photocatalytic Cement CompositesKarol Chilmon0Maciej Kalinowski1Wioletta Jackiewicz-Rek2Faculty of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Al. Armii Ludowej 16, 00-637 Warsaw, PolandFaculty of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Al. Armii Ludowej 16, 00-637 Warsaw, PolandFaculty of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Al. Armii Ludowej 16, 00-637 Warsaw, PolandThis study investigated how the surface characteristics of photocatalytic cementitious composites influenced the effectiveness of air purification from nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>x</sub>), with a particular focus on the impact of coarse aggregate exposure on the photoactive surface. Air purification efficiency tests were conducted using a custom-developed procedure that simulated NO<sub>x</sub> concentrations and UV irradiance typical of autumn and winter conditions in Warsaw, Poland. The findings revealed that the extent of exposed coarse aggregate on the photoactive surface significantly affected photocatalytic efficiency, reducing the overall NO removal rate by up to 50% compared to the reference value. The use of hydration retarders modified the surface characteristics of the photocatalytic cement matrix, enhancing its photoactive potential. The observed decline in photocatalytic efficiency in composites with exposed coarse aggregate was attributed to the coarse aggregate’s limited ability to retain nanometric photocatalyst particles, which reduced the overall TiO<sub>2</sub> content in the composite’s near-surface layer. Nevertheless, cementitious composites incorporating a first-generation photocatalyst exhibited substantial photocatalytic activity, achieving NO removal rates of up to 340 µg/m<sup>2</sup>·h for non-exposed variants and up to 175 µg/m<sup>2</sup>·h for variants with exposed aggregate. These results demonstrated their functionality even under low-intensity UV-A irradiation (1 W/m<sup>2</sup>), making them suitable for environments with limited sunlight exposure.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/11/3639cement compositesconcretephotocatalysisexposed aggregateair purification |
| spellingShingle | Karol Chilmon Maciej Kalinowski Wioletta Jackiewicz-Rek Influence of Coarse Aggregate Exposure on Air Purification Efficiency in Photocatalytic Cement Composites Buildings cement composites concrete photocatalysis exposed aggregate air purification |
| title | Influence of Coarse Aggregate Exposure on Air Purification Efficiency in Photocatalytic Cement Composites |
| title_full | Influence of Coarse Aggregate Exposure on Air Purification Efficiency in Photocatalytic Cement Composites |
| title_fullStr | Influence of Coarse Aggregate Exposure on Air Purification Efficiency in Photocatalytic Cement Composites |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of Coarse Aggregate Exposure on Air Purification Efficiency in Photocatalytic Cement Composites |
| title_short | Influence of Coarse Aggregate Exposure on Air Purification Efficiency in Photocatalytic Cement Composites |
| title_sort | influence of coarse aggregate exposure on air purification efficiency in photocatalytic cement composites |
| topic | cement composites concrete photocatalysis exposed aggregate air purification |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/11/3639 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT karolchilmon influenceofcoarseaggregateexposureonairpurificationefficiencyinphotocatalyticcementcomposites AT maciejkalinowski influenceofcoarseaggregateexposureonairpurificationefficiencyinphotocatalyticcementcomposites AT wiolettajackiewiczrek influenceofcoarseaggregateexposureonairpurificationefficiencyinphotocatalyticcementcomposites |