Abstract

Many building materials have been functionalizedto achieve photocatalytic properties, namely selfcleaningand depolluting abilities, through the applicationof photocatalytic TiO2 nanoparticles to those materials.These nanoparticles are able to preserve building fac¸adesby blocking the deposition of airborne particulates in pollutedurban environments, and they are able to purify theair, thus benefiting the environment. In this study, theapplication of nanostructured TiO2 as a photoactive coatingon two types of natural stone was investigated. A TiO2 solobtained by sol-gel synthesis followed by hydrothermalprocessing was applied via spray deposition onto a compactlimestone and a highly porous calcarenite. The effectsof this coating on some basic properties of the stone, suchas its color and water absorption, and the photocatalyticeffectiveness of the coated surface were then studied.Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-rayspectroscopy showed that the coating presented a uniformmorphology on both types of stone, with the TiO2nanoparticles penetrating\1 lm into the stone. The coatingwas found to be compatible with the properties of theinvestigated types of stone. Colorimetry indicated that thechange in the color of the stone due to the coating wasnegligible. Measurements of the static contact angle andthe results of the capillary water absorption test showedthat photoinduced superhydrophilicity did not increase theamount of the water absorbed by the coated stone. Aphotodegradation test of rhodamine B demonstrated theself-cleaning ability of the coating on both types of stone.Conversely, the photocatalytic effectiveness of the coating--as measured by a nitrogen oxide abatement test--wasfound to be higher for the porous calcarenite than for thecompact limestone, and to depend on the porosity androughness of the substrate.

Autore Pugliese

• Calia Angela , Lettieri Mariateresa

Tutti gli autori

• M. Lettieri ; A. Calia ; A. Licciulli ; A.E. Marquardt; R.J. Phaneuf

Titolo volume/Rivista

Bulletin of engineering geology and the environment

Anno di pubblicazione

2015

ISSN

1435-9529

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Numero di citazioni Scopus

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Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

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