SELF-CLEANING

CONCRETE
[Document subtitle]

SUBMITED BY: ABHINAND.V

S5 CIVIL
REG NO: 2201012630
Contents:

➢ Introduction
➢ What is self-cleaning concrete
➢ Photocatalyst
➢ Titanium Dioxide as photocatalyst
➢ How self-cleaning concrete works?
➢ Properties of self-cleaning concrete
➢ Application of self-cleaning concrete
➢ Advantages
➢ Disadvantages
➢ Examples
➢ Conclusion
➢ Reference
 INTRODUCTION

Self-cleaning concrete has an ability to clean their surfaces

by itself. Self-cleaning technology has been derived from
nature. The surface of self-cleaning inspired by the
nanostructures of a lotus leaf which based on
superhydrophobic effect, which residues are washed off by
rain, thus carrying away dirt and debris. This is due to the
photocatalytic actions with the addition of photocatalyst
onto the concrete. Photocatalytic reaction uses the energy
from ultraviolet rays to oxidize organic compounds. This
reaction is able to accelerate the process of natural
oxidation and faster pollutant decomposition.
Photocatalytic have two primary benefits which are kept
surface free of dirt and ensure a cleaner environment.
Photocatalytic materials are not only apart, having a wide
range of applications, but it also offers various benefits,
which include reduction in maintenance cost and time
(process of cleaning), thereby energy was saved in cooling
the buildings by reducing the temperature.

What is Self-cleaning concrete?

Self-cleaning concrete is produced by adding catalytic

material to the concrete mixture. It is a new construction
material that has been developed in the past three decades.
The most prominent properties of the type of concrete are
self-cleaning ability.

Not only does it preserve façade appearance of structure

but also it decomposes most of glass that emits from car
exhaust and those produced because of emitted gases with
rainwater.

The self-cleaning property is obtained by adding an additive

to concrete which is called catalytic material which has a
white color. An example of catalytic material is titanium
oxide.

PHOTOCATALYST

A photocatalyst is a material that absorbs light to bring it

to a higher energy level and provides such energy to a
reacting substance for a chemical reaction to occur.
Photocatalytic reaction is one of the
Advanced Oxidation Technologies applied to clean water
and air. TiO2 is often used as the catalyst for this process.
(TiO2 is activated by UV light pf certain wavelengths)

Titanium Dioxide as photocatalyst

TiO2-based photocatalytic building materials can keep
the building surface clean, and have decontamination,
antibacterial effects and so on, which greatly reduces
the maintenance cost and risk of cleaning work, and
these materials have great application potential in
pollution and carbon reduction in the future.
However, due to the wide band gap of TiO2, the low
utilization of solar energy and the instability of super
hydrophilicity have always been the difficulties in the
field of photocatalysis. Based on the relevant research
of TiO2-based photocatalytic materials in recent years,
this review summarizes the modification strategies
that can effectively improve the photocatalytic activity
of TiO2-based photocatalytic materials. At the same
time, the influence of complex environmental factors
and substrate properties on the self-cleaning behavior
of TiO2-based building materials was analyzed. This
paper aims to provide effective guidance for the
future application of TiO2-based photocatalysts in the
construction field, improve people’s understanding of
photocatalytic building materials (PBM) and
photocatalytic self-cleaning characteristics, and
provide more possibilities for the extensive application
of photocatalysis technology in the construction field,
as to promote the realization of global carbon
neutrality and other strategic goals of pollution and
carbon reduction.
How self-cleaning concrete works?
Strong sunlight or ultraviolet light decomposes many
organic materials in a slow, natural process. You have
seen this process, for example, in the way the plastic
dashboard of a car fades and becomes brittle
overtime. Photo catalysts accelerate this process and,
like other types of catalysts, stimulate a chemical
transformation without being consumed or worn out
by the reaction. When used on or in a concrete
structure, photocatalysts decompose organic
materials such as dirt, including soot, grime, oil and
particulates; biological organisms, including mold,
algae, bacteria and allergens; airborne pollutants,
including volatile organic compounds, including
formaldehyde and benzene, tobacco smoke, and the
nitrous oxides and sulfuric oxides that are significant
factors in smog; and even the chemicals that cause
odors. The catalyzed compounds break down into
oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, sulphate, nitrate and
other molecules that are either beneficial to or, at
worst, have a relatively benign impact on the
environment. Most inorganic pollutants and stains,
including rust, are not catalyzed.
Titanium oxide, the primary catalytic ingredient, is
widely used as a white pigment in paint, plastics,
cosmetics and a host of other products. Making it
capable of photocatalysis requires manipulating the
material to create extremely fine nano-sized particles
with a different atomic structure than that of the
ordinary pigment. At the nano scale, this type of
titanium undergoes a quantum transformation and
becomes a semiconductor. Activated by the energy in
light, the TiO2 creates a charge separation of electrons
and electron holes.

The electrons disperse on the

surface of the photocatalyst and react with external
substances, causing chemical reductions and
oxidations and forming hydroxyl radicals that act as
powerful oxidants to decompose organic compounds.
Due to this oxidation reactions the pollutants are
converted to less harmful substances.

Properties of self-cleaning concrete

Landscape compositions create harmonious
combinations of natural and artificial elements of the
environment, in accordance with certain artistic
expertise into a holistic spatial design able to improve
the location and to develop recreational facilities,
both efficient and inspired. A contribution to
regeneration of polluted areas can be achieved
through landscaping applications, especially if
resourceful materials and methods are implemented.
In the past years, these
technologies have been applied to glass, ceramic, and
cement-based materials. The main applications of
TiO2 (traditionally used as white pigment) include
pollution remediation, self-cleaning and self-
disinfecting surfaces. Along with the advantage of
using solar light and rainwater as the driving force,
they confer environmentally compatible properties to
building materials and landscaping applications. The
cement industry has already developed new cement
products that offer the possibility to improve
environmental quality by decomposing air pollutants
in harmless substances, while using a photocatalytic
reaction based on a patented technology. Concrete is
a material that allows creating almost every shape:
simulations of natural landforms, slopes, hills,
retaining walls, stairs, ramps, terraces, urban
furniture. It allows the possibility to embed into the
landscape various functional, social, cultural and
entertaining elements with interesting decorative
characteristics and forms.
Paving elements and
concrete sidewalk plates are installed in different
commercial zones, garden-parks and other pedestrian
areas, being used for walk-path surfaces, in a variety
of shapes and colors, which expand the design
possibilities when implementing traditional or modern
architectural solutions. For self-cleaning concrete
pavement applications, since photocatalysts transform
the pollutants into water soluble compounds, the
porosity of the prefabricated concrete elements is
very important.
Application of self-cleaning concrete

The path of a landscape project from the beginning to its

end typically contains the following four major phases
(each with its own agenda of tasks and issues): initiation,
planning, implementation, and closure. The
environmental compatibility for construction and
landscaping projects is revealed through active
multidisciplinary collaboration, from the design study
and preliminary design phases, to execution and
supervision, all the way to project completion [10].
Architectural characteristics have to be preserved,
landscape design objectives have to be accomplished,
and innovative materials, methods and features have to
be implemented. In this regard, with respect to
regulations, every design theme gives freedom of choice
and allows guidance through selection of plants,
decorations, shapes, structures and materials.
Advantages of Self-Cleaning Concretes
As the temperature increases in areas where
urbanization is intense, air pollution and chemical
reactions that produce pollution also increase. The
purpose of using self-cleaning concretes is to use
materials that stay cool in sunlight and have at least 29
solar reflective indexes (SRI). SRI value of ordinary
Portland cement is about 35, and the SRI value of new
concrete produced with white cement is 86. It is seen
that the concrete produced with TiO2 added cement will
maintain a higher SRI value for a much longer time. All
building energy simulations prepared by computer
modelling will show us the benefits of concrete prepared
with TiO2 cement by solving the complex problems
between the sunlight reflection rate and emission rate
between concrete prepared with TiO2 added to cement
and concrete prepared with traditional methods.
Exceptional performance in reducing air pollution - The
use of concrete prepared with cement containing TiO2
will reduce organic and inorganic substances causing air
pollution. Durability - Concrete prepared with cement
containing TiO2 preserves its durability for a longer
period without using protective coating materials.

Disadvantages of Self-Cleaning Concretes

White spots are formed on the surface of

self-cleaning concrete due to titanium dioxide. Light is
needed to react chemically and is therefore not suitable
for indoor applications. The cost of self-cleaning concrete
is much higher than conventional concrete and no
standard has been published in our country.

Examples of Self-cleaning Applications in the World

• Self-cleaning locked cobblestone pavement on 'Borgo
Palazzo' Street (Bergamo, Italy). In the measurements
made on the street, a reduction in air pollution between
30% and 40% was observed.
• Painting of the tunnel of 'Umberto I' (Rome, Italy) with
photocatalytic material
• 'Dives in Misericordia' Church (Rome, Italy) is one of
the architectural works that preserves its beauty with its
self-cleaning feature.
• ’Cité de la Musique et des Beaux-Arts’(Chambery,
France).
• ’The Hôtel de Police’ (Bordeaux, France).
• MSV Arena Football Stadium (Germany).
• ‘Bienvenue a Ciments du Maroc’(Morocco).
• ’Charles de Gaulle’ Airport (Paris, France)
• Saint John’s Court Montecarlo Bay residence (Monaco)
• Manuel de Gonzalez Hospital, Mexico.
• Tüpras Refinery, Kocaeli – Turkey.
.
Conclusions
When the literature studies are reviewed on self-cleaning
concretes that emerged as a result of the developments
in concrete technology, it is seen that the developments
have progressed considerably. The current knowledge
shows that the influence of adding of photocatalysts (as
nano-TiO2) in the cementitious material to be as filler or
replacing part of cement improve the performances of
self-cleaning behavior. Photocatalysts will also remove
odors and indoor air quality, so that, the city will become
clean and beautiful. Nowadays, atmospheric pollution
also causes the external decay of buildings due to the
deposition of organic matter and contaminants.
Environmentally friendly building materials will fulfil their
duty in reducing air pollution, one of the biggest
problems of our time. Self-cleaning concrete has a
potential to keep the city clean by reducing the air
pollutants. It is obvious that self-cleaning concrete will
reduce air pollution by 30-40%.
References
[1.] Dogangun A, (2018), Calculation and design of
reinforced concrete structures, CD-supplemented 18th
Edition, Birsen Publishing House, ISBN: 978-975-517-310-
X, 732 pgs. (in Turkish).
[2.] Kuloğlu Yüksel, F.Ş., Karagüler, M.E., Self-Cleaning
Concretes, Academia, 2018(in Turkish).
[3.] Ersoy, H.Y., Composite material, Literatür Publishing,
2001 (in Turkish).
[4.] Karagüler, M., Terzi, F., Kuloğlu, Ş., The Effect of
Coloring Additives on Architectural Concrete Properties,
THBB Beton 2004 Kongresi, 2004 (in Turkish).
[5.] Mircea, D.M. (2019). Self-Cleaning Concrete for
Landscaping Applications. MATEC Web of Conferences,
289, 05004.