Characterization of photocatalytic and superhydrophilic properties of mortars containing titanium dioxide

Environmental pollution arising from industrial implants and urban factors is constantly increasing, causing aesthetical and durability concerns to urban structures exposed to the atmosphere. This work is aimed at the study of a system which could take advantage of functionalized building materials in order to improve the quality of urban surfaces, and possibly of the environment itself: TiO2-containing photoactive materials represent an appealing way to create self-cleaning surfaces, thus limiting maintenance costs, and to promote the degradation of polluting agents. Several mortars containing anatase TiO2, added as suspension or as powder, were characterized: among the photocatalytic mortars, the use of a combined additive (both powder and suspension) improved the material response. The best photoefficiency was exhibited by a mortar containing TiO2 as surface covering; nevertheless, the adhesion problems shown by the surface layer open the way for future widening of investigations focused on the optimization of layer durability.