Photocatalytic Performance Evaluation of Titanium Dioxide Nanotube-Reinforced Cement Paste

Abstract

Considering the increase in research regarding environmental pollution reduction, the utilization of cementitious material, a commonly used construction material, in photocatalysts has become a desirable research field for the widespread application of photocatalytic degradation technology. Nano-reinforcement technology for cementitious materials has been extensively researched and developed. In this work, as a new and promising reinforcing agent for cementitious materials, the photocatalytic performance of titanium dioxide nanotube (TNT) was investigated. The degradation of methylene blue was used to evaluate the photocatalytic performance of the TNT-reinforced cement paste. In addition, cement paste containing micro-TiO2 (m-TiO2) and nano-TiO2 (n-TiO2) particles were used for comparison. Moreover, the effect of these TiO2-based photocatalytic materials on the cement hydration products was monitored via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The results indicated that all the TiO2 based materials promoted the formation of hydration products. After 28 days of curing, the TNT-reinforced cement paste contained the maximum amount of hydration products (Ca(OH)2). Furthermore, the cement paste containing TNT exhibited better photocatalytic effects than that containing n-TiO2, but worse than that containing m-TiO2.

Photoactive Cements: A Review

“…Moreover, the cement hydration process is influenced not only by the amount of the added additive, but also by its surface to volume ratio. For example, Liu et al [ 134 ] characterized the effect of various TiO 2 powders and nanotubes on the hydration process of cement grout. For this purpose, cement pastes, each containing 1 wt.% of the mass of cement micro-TiO 2 (m-TiO 2 ), nano-TiO 2 (n-TiO 2 ) particles, or TiO 2 (TNT) nanotubes obtained by the hydrothermal method with a BET surface of 196 m 2 /g were used.…”

“…Different admixtures may have different effects on cement hydration behavior and microstructure formation due to their different characteristics [ 106 , 134 , 135 ]. Recent studies by Goyal et al [ 105 ] comparing the effects of nano-TiO 2 (NT) and nano-ZnO (NZ) on the hydration behavior of Portland cement have shown that NT accelerates hydration while NZ delays it.…”

Empirical NOx Removal Analysis of Photocatalytic Construction Materials at Real-Scale

“…In the past few decades, TiO 2 has been used as a building material for atmospheric NOx removal by exploiting the NOx oxidation mechanism of TiO 2 [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Chen and Poon [ 26 ] provided an overview of the development of photocatalytic construction materials in terms of academic achievements and practical applications.…”

“…Extensive studies have been conducted to analyze the oxidation mechanism of TiO2 under various experimental conditions [16][17][18][19][20][21]. In the past few decades, TiO2 has been used as a building material for atmospheric NOx removal by exploiting the NOx oxidation mechanism of TiO2 [22][23][24][25]. Chen and Poon [26] provided an overview of the development of photocatalytic construction materials in terms of academic achievements and practical applications.…”

“…Based on the ISO 22197-1: 2007 standard, empirical studies on NOx removal efficiency and durability settings were conducted comprehensively in an indoor laboratory. In the past few decades, TiO 2 has been used as a building material for atmospheric NOx removal by exploiting the NOx oxidation mechanism of TiO 2 [22][23][24][25]. Chen and Poon [26] provided an overview of the development of photocatalytic construction materials in terms of academic achievements and practical applications.…”