Degradation of formaldehyde and benzene by TiO₂ photocatalytic cement based materials

Abstract

A novel photocatalytic cement based material was prepared. The distribution of TiO₂ on the surface of cement was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), which showed the relationship of photocatalysis and presence of TiO₂. TiO₂ also had an impact on cement hydration, which was studied by thermal analysis. With 300 W UV illuminations, formaldehyde and benzene were degraded efficiently by the prepared photocatalytic cement based materials. 15wt% TiO₂/cement showed the highest degradation efficiency and capability. The results show that formaldehyde and benzene can be degraded within 4 and 9 hours, respectively. Besides, inorganic ions can induce TiO₂ agglomeration. As a result, the presence of inorganic ions in cement is unfavorable for degradation. The photocatalytic cement based materials were fabricated and the degradation efficiency of formaldehyde was measured on building roof under sunlight illumination. Formaldehyde in glass chamber can be degraded thoroughly within 10 days.

Keywords

photocatalytic cement / TiO₂ / formaldehyde / building materials / sunlight

References

[1] Fernandez JE. Materials for Aesthetic, Energy-efficient, and Selfdiagnostic Buildings[J]. Science, 2007, 315(5820): 1807-1810.

[2] Fujishima A, Zhang X, Tryk D A. TiO₂ Photocatalysis and Related Surface Phenomena[J]. Surf. Sci. Rep., 2008, 63(12): 515-582.

[3] Aïssa AH, Puzenat E, Plassais A, et al. Characterization and Photocatalytic Performance in Air of Cementitious Materials Containing TiO₂. Case Study of Formaldehyde Removal[J]. Appl. Catal. B-Environ., 2011, 107(1): 1-8.

[4] Faraldos M, Kropp R, Anderson MA, et al. Photocatalytic Hydrophobic Concrete Coatings to Combat Air Pollution[J]. Catal. Today, 2016, 259: 228-236.

[5] Pham TD, Lee BK. Disinfection of Staphylococcus Aureus in Indoor Aerosols Using Cu-TiO₂ Deposited on Glass Fiber under Visible Light Irradiation[J]. J. Photoch. Photobio. A, 2015, 307: 16-22.

[6] Zhao J, Yang X. Photocatalytic Oxidation for Indoor Air Purification: A Literature Review[J]. Build. Environ., 2003, 38(5): 645-654.

[7] Wang F, Yang L, Wang H, et al. Facile Preparation of Photocatalytic Exposed Aggregate Concrete with Highly Efficient and Stable Catalytic Performance[J]. Chem. Eng. J., 2015, 264: 577-586.

[8] Ruot B, Plassais A, Olive F, et al. TiO₂-containing Cement Pastes and Mortars: Measurements of the Photocatalytic Efficiency Using a Rhodamine B-based Colourimetric Test[J]. Sol. Energy, 2009, 83(10): 1794-1801.

[9] Peng Yining G, Fazhou W, et al. Photocatalytic Activity of Portland Cement Loaded with 3D Hierarchical Bi₂WO₆ Microspheres under Visible Light[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2016, 120: 42-47.

[10] Fazhou W, Guoxin S, Wenqin Z, et al. Performance of Photocatalytic Cementitious Material: Influence of Substrate Surface Microstructure[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2016, 110: 175-181.

[11] Zhu Z, Wu RJ. The Degradation of Formaldehyde Using a Pt@TiO₂ Nanoparticles in Presence of Visible Light Irradiation at Room Temperature[J]. J. Taiwan. Inst. Chem. E, 2015, 50: 276-281.

[12] LI Z, WANG X, GAO D, et al. Experimental Investigation on Setting Property of Magnesium Oxysulfate Cement[J]. Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society, 2015, 34: 1215-1218.

[13] Pinho L, Mosquera MJ. Photocatalytic Activity of TiO₂-SiO₂ Nanocomposites Applied to Buildings: Influence of Particle Size and Loading[J]. Appl. Catal. B-Environ., 2013, 134: 205-221.

[14] Zhang R, Cheng X, Hou P, et al. Influences of Nano-TiO₂ on the Properties of Cement-based Materials: Hydration and Drying Shrinkage[J]. Constr. Build. Maters., 2015, 81: 35-41.

[15] Kong D, Su Y, Du X, et al. Influence of Nano-silica Agglomeration on Fresh Properties of Cement Pastes[J]. Constr. Build. Maters., 2013, 43: 557-562.

[16] Suraneni P, Flatt RJ. Use of Micro-reactors to Obtain New Insights into the Factors Influencing Tricalcium Silicate Dissolution[J]. Cement Concrete Res., 2015, 78: 208-215.

[17] Gutteridge WA, Dalziel JA. Filler Cement: the Effect of the Secondary Component on the Hydration of Portland Cement: Part I. A Fine Nonhydraulic Filler[J]. Cement Concrete Res., 1990, 20(5): 778-782.

[18] Ye G, Liu X, De Schutter G, et al. Influence of Limestone Powder Used as Filler in SCC on Hydration and Microstructure of Cement Pastes[J]. Cement Concrete Comp., 2007, 29(2): 94-102.

[19] Tikkanen J, Cwirzen A, Penttala V. Effects of Mineral Powders on Hydration Process and Hydration Products in Normal Strength Concrete[J]. Constr. Build. Maters., 2014, 72: 7-14.

[20] de Andrade FV, de Lima GM, Augusti R, et al. A novel TiO₂/Autoclaved Cellular Concrete Composite: From a Precast Building Material to a New Floating Photocatalyst for Degradation of Organic Water Contaminants[J]. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 2015, 7: 27-35.

[21] Enevoldsen JN, Hansson CM, Hope BB. Binding of Chloride in Mortar Containing Admixed or Penetrated Chlorides[J]. Cement Concrete Res., 1994, 24(8): 1525-1533.

[22] Mei J, Mao J, Chen Z, et al. Mechanism and Kinetics of 4-hydroxy-2-Butanone Formation from Formaldehyde and Acetone under Supercritical Conditions and in High-temperature Liquid-phase[J]. Chem. Eng. Sci., 2015, 131: 213-218.