Self Cleaning Concrete

SELF CLEANING CONCRETE

Author: P. Guru Raju
Sr. Mgr (Afcons infrastructure limited)
1. ABSTRACT
Self-cleaning buildings and pollution-reducing roadways: These may sound like futuristic ideas, but they are
realities of some of today’s concrete. Recently introduced formulations of cement are able to neutralize pollution.
Harmful smog can be turned into harmless compounds and washed away. Anything made out of concrete is a
potential application, because these cements are used in the same manner as regular port land cements. These
products provide value through unique architectural and environmental performance capabilities.

2. INTRODUCTION
Depollution is the opposite of pollution and means the removal of contaminants and impurities from the
environment. The newest tool for achieving depollution is a photocatalyst, a material that uses solar energy to
accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed or depleted in the process.
In the year 1967 Titanium Dioxide’s photocatalytic properties discovered when scientist observed the splitting of
water on a TiO2 electrode under ultraviolet light. Then in the early 1990’s Japanese company initiate research into
photocatalytic concrete technology. In the year 1996 European research into the self-cleaning benefits of
photocatalytic concrete technology begins in response to a market need to construct the precast panels for the Dives
in Misericordia Church Project.

3. HOW IT WORKS?
Proprietary technology (based on particles of titanium dioxide) is what makes this cement special. The technology
can be applied to white or gray cement and it works like any other port land cement: it can be used in all varieties of
concrete, including plaster. Presumably, applications for mortar might be beneficial, too, although the mortar has a
smaller surface area. The only difference is that it is capable of breaking down smog or other pollution that has
attached itself to the concrete substrate, in a process known as photocatalysis. As sunlight hits the surface, most
organic and some inorganic pollutants are neutralized. They would otherwise lead to discolored concrete surfaces.
Strong sunlight or ultraviolet light decomposes many organic materials in a slow, natural process. We have seen
this process, for example, in the way the plastic dashboard of a car fades and becomes brittle over time.
Photocatalysts 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
[NOx] and sulfuric oxides [SOx] that are significant factors in smog; and even the chemicals that cause odors. The
catalyzed compounds break down into oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, sulfate, 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 (TiO2), 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.

4. HOW SELF CLEANING IS MEASURED?

Self cleaning is measured by colorimetric method to determine the photocatalytic activity of hydraulic binders. A
colorimeter is a device used to test the concentration of a solution by measuring its absorbance of a specific
wavelength of light. The absorption of OPC cement is less as compared to the specialized photocatalytic cement or
self cleaning cement (SCC) when tested in colorimeter as shown in the graph below. The more the absorbance the
more will be the cleaning of the surface.

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Rhodamine B is a dye that is most commonly used for testing the self-cleaning properties of such surfaces, the
reason being that it is a stubborn pollutant which has a strong colourmetric value.

Fig 1 Measure of Self Cleaning

The graph shows the effect of Rhodamine dye on OPC and the Photocatalytic cement with the passage of time. This
shows that photocatalytic cement is less effective to the dye than OPC.
Titanium dioxide surfaces have been shown to display self-cleaning properties. It is the same hydroxyl radicals or
reactive oxygen species which oxidise pollutants that are able to oxidize material which could dirty the surface,
such as organic compounds and other soilants.
Half panel applied with photocatalytic cement in the left half and OPC in the right half of the panel as shown in the
Fig below and then the effect of color is observed on both the surfaces with the passage of time. It’s observed that
the left panel looks clearer than the right panel with the passage of time where normal cement has been used.

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Fig 2 Measure of Self Cleaning

5. HOW TO USE PHOTOCATALYTIC CEMENT?

Photocatalytic cement is ASTM C150 cement incorporating the “active” ingredient (catalyst) in a uniform
homogenous manner. The fresh and the hardened concrete properties do not change by adding this in the concrete.
Mix Designs:
Normal mix designs procedures are applicable to photocatalytic concrete as given in IS or ACI 211, etc.
Same attention as concrete produced with OPC is given to the concrete produced by photocatalytic cement like,
Air content, Water cement ratio and Quality of aggregates,

Concrete Production:
A manufacturing/Production procedure is same as normal concrete, however extra care should be taken to avoid
contamination.

Concrete Curing:
All concrete must be properly cured to attain maximum strength, reduce permeability, obtain durable concrete and
attain desired properties – photocatalytic concrete is no different.

6. AVAILABILITY OF SELF CLEANING CEMENT (SCC) :

Photocatalytic concrete is being used with increased frequency in Europe and Asia for architectural and civil
engineering projects and photocatalytic Portland cement is now available in North America from Essroc, a division
of the Italcementi Group.
The company offers two grades of photocatalytic cement: TX Active Arca for self-cleaning concrete, and the
higher performance TX Active Aria for concrete that is both self-cleaning and air depolluting. Both cements are
available in either gray or white and contain patented photocatalytic chemistry that has been specially formulated to
produce photocatalytic concrete. In Canada, TX Active is available in gray or white Portland Cement Type GU,
MS, and HE complying with CSA A3001.3

7. APPLICATION OF SELF CLEANING CEMENT

Concrete applications for TX Active technology include vertical, horizontal, structural, architectural precast
concrete, plasters and coatings, concrete blocks, median barriers, retaining walls, concrete paving/roads and
cementitious tiles.

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Photocatalytic cement can be used in all concrete and cement based applications, but cost effective applications
need to be considered. Considering that the reaction only takes place on the surface, photocatalytic cement is not
required throughout the entire homogeneous section of a concrete wall or slab. Thinner layers will suffice and
manufacturing processes that utilize a dual-stage approach are most cost effective.

8. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING SELF CLEANING CEMENTS?

In particular, ongoing research shows that cement based materials containing TiO2 have a good potential in urban
pollution control. Examples of pollutants which can be eliminated by the photocatalytic cementitious products are
NOx, SOx, NH3, CO, Volatile Organic Carbons (VOCs) such as benzene and toluene, organic chlorides, aldehydes
and polycondensated aromatics.
Clean buildings are great: A perhaps even more astounding environmental benefit is the potential for cleaner air.
Concrete products that are exposed to sunlight throughout their life, like precast building panels, pavers, and roof
tiles, tunnels are especially suited to manufacture with photocatalytic cement. For instance, city streets made with
special pavers are capable of reducing the pollution at its source, where it comes out of the tailpipe.
Photocatalytic concrete contains titanium dioxide particles that act as the catalyst for the natural breakdown of NOx
into nitrates in sunlight. This occurs at the surface of the concrete, where the nitrates can be easily washed away.
Without the catalyst, the NOx will breakdown in the atmosphere, creating photochemical smog and ground level
ozone. With an abundant surface area and proximity to a major source of air pollution, the use of photocatalytic
concrete for pavements is a logical concept. A study conducted in the Netherlands used photocatalytic concrete
pavers on a section of a busy roadway and monitored the air quality 0.5 m to 1.5 m above the pavement in both a
control area with normal pavers and the test section. It was found that the NOx levels were reduced by 25 to 45
percent.
CASE STUDY 1 – UMBERTO TUNNEL
The Umberto Tunnel is one of the most brilliantly conceived projects to ease Roman road traffic. The tunnel was in
poor condition in terms of illumination and maintenance. The Tunnel was constructed in the year 1900 – 1902 and
renovation work was done in the year 2007.
To monitor pollution levels, the following data was collected:
a. NOx values,
b. Weather conditions (temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, and wind speed)
c. Light conditions inside and outside the tunnel (UV-A, UV-B, RAD, and Lux)
d. Traffic situation and vehicles per hour.

After Renovation
Before Renovation

Fig 3 UMBERTO TUNNEL After Renovation

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The existing lighting system was removed and painted with cement based photocatalytic paint for a total of 9000m2
area (Grey paint up to 1.8m height and white for the remaining area). In the center of the tunnel after the renovation
work the following values were calculated:
1. A 25% reduction of NO values
2. A 23% reduction of NOX values
3. A 19% reduction of NO2 values
CASE STUDY 2 – SEGRATE MILAN 2002
Heavily traveled two way road about 1000 vehicles/hour. 10 meters wide in a residential area, sidewalks lined with
trees. A thin layer of photocatalytic concrete applied to 230M long segment of bituminous road surface (total
surface area of about 7000 M2).

Observed a reduction in NOx concentration in the photocatalytic treated area of the pavement as measured between
50%-60% when compared with the non photocatalytic treated area.
CASE STUDY 3 - The Dives in Misericordia Church
Italcementi Group was technical sponsor for the Jubilee Church (also known as the Dives in Misericordia) in Rome,
a showplace for photocatalytic self-cleaning concrete. The award-winning international architecture firm Richard
Meier & Partners Architects LLP, New York, designed the soaring structure in conjunction with structural engineer
groups Arup and Guy Nordenson and Associates, New York. Jubilee Church is an awe-inspiring composition of
256 precast, post-tensioned concrete elements assembled into semi-sphere white shells rising 85 feet into the sky.
The designers called for a high-performance concrete mixture with white Portland cement, white high-reactivity
metakaolin, and white carrara marble aggregate to create a brilliant white concrete.
To keep it clean, despite the church’s location in a polluted industrial neighborhood, Italcementi’s photocatalytic
TX Active cement was used. The simple yet severe design, which manages to combine the sacredness of the
interior with the liveability of the large external spaces, features three impressive white concrete sails that swell out
as if blown by an easterly wind. The active principle contributes to pollution reduction and keeps the desired look
of architectural structures unchanged over time. The Church was consecrated in October 2003. Pope Benedict XVI
visited it in March 2006.

Fig 4 The Dives in Misericordia Church

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CASE STUDY 4 : CITE DE LA MUSIQUE CHAMBERY, FRANCE

Cite de la Musique,
Chambery, France

COLOUR MONITORING

Fig 5 Cite de la Musique,Chambery, Francee

The color effect was monitored on all the four faces of the building and observed that the luminance value is almost
same at the end of 77 months (SIX YEARS) in all the faces, except west where this value has been slightly
increased.
Luminance is a photometric measure of the luminous intensity per unit area of light travelling in a given direction.
It describes the amount of light that passes through or is emitted from a particular area, and falls within a given
solid angle.
Luminance is thus an indicator of how bright the surface will appear.

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9. USE OF OPC AND SCC DIFFERENCE IS SELF EXPLANATORY:

PROJECT WITH ORDINARY CEMENT IN USE PROJECT WITH SELF CLEANING CEMENT IN USE

The projects seen on the right are comparatively cleaner as compared to the left side due to the use of the SCC. The
cost of Maintainance is reduced and is environmental friendly as it 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 [NOx] and sulfuric oxides [SOx] that are significant factors in smog; and even the chemicals
that cause odors.

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10. PROJECTS THAT ARE DONE WITH SLEF CLEANING CONCRETE:

A white precast concrete carillon tower was recently constructed at Dalton State College in Georgia using photocatalytic
cement. The 23 m (75 ft) tall tower is the centerpiece of a new quadrangle project and is visible from a nearby freeway,
so it’s important that it remains pristine.
THE BELL TOWER • DALTON, GEORGIA

Fig 6 Projects with SCC

I-35 GATEWAY ELEMENTS • MINNEAPOLIS, HYACINTH PLACE • HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS

MINNESOTA

Fig 7 Projects with SCC

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11. CONCLUSION

No one likes a dirty building or a polluted environment. Designing projects with photocatalytic precast
concrete helps promote aesthetic endurance, keeping the structure looking like new over time. Clean
commercial properties attract increased revenues, and clean institutional buildings are a source of civic
pride. More companies and government agencies are paying attention to the environmental
sustainability of their properties. So by applying a few new words like photocatalysis and depollution to
our construction vocabulary, we just might hear our clients use that beautiful word: yes.
The titanium-based catalyst is not spent as it breaks down pollution, but continues to work. Typical
products are oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, nitrate, and sulfate. Because rain washes away the
pollution from the concrete surface, buildings stay cleaner and do not require chemical applications
that are potentially harmful to the environment. Maintenance costs are reduced, illumination
requirements maintained without increasing the power consumption thereby saving of power in
keeping the area illuminated. This is true even for buildings in highly polluted locations—one noted
application is the Air France headquarters at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle International Airport near Paris, a
white concrete building that has remained white. Another is the Church of the Year 2000 in Rome.

Fig 8 Pollution Under Control

Ref: http://www.essroc.com/default.aspx?pageid=216
http://www.cib2007.com/papers/CIDB2008%20Final%20paper%20No23.pdf
http://precast.org/precast-possibilities/case-studies/depollution-and-photocatalysis-of-precast-concrete/

31/07/2012 16:28 AM