Discoloration of white concrete containing photoactive TiO2

Anna Kronlöf, Liisa Salparanta, Tapio Vehmas

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

    Abstract

    Photoactive titania is able to activate chemical reactions in the presence of UV radiation by producing a free electron and an electron hole. These can activate e.g. decomposition of organic compounds and oxidation. This phonemena has inspired the development of new products that possess so called photoactive functional surface properties. Being a fine powder, titania needs to be bound with some kind of adhesive material. Organic binders have the disadvantage of becoming potentially decomposed in the course of the photoactive reactions, whereas inorganic binders remain intact. Cement (OPC) as the most widely used binder would be one obvious choice. White mortar samples containing titania (TiO2) were found to turn yellow during the exposure to UV-light both in outdoor and laboratory conditions. The discoloration could harm the visual appearance of high quality concrete surfaces if not taken into consideration while selecting the titania type.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationXXI Nordic Concrete Research Symposia
    Place of PublicationOslo
    PublisherNorsk Betongforening
    Pages25-28
    Publication statusPublished - 2011
    MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
    EventXXI Nordic Concrete Research Symposium - Hotel Rantasipi Aulanko, Hämeenlinna, Finland
    Duration: 30 May 20111 Jun 2011

    Publication series

    SeriesNordic Concrete Research
    Volume43
    ISSN0800-6377

    Conference

    ConferenceXXI Nordic Concrete Research Symposium
    Country/TerritoryFinland
    CityHämeenlinna
    Period30/05/111/06/11

    Keywords

    • titania
    • photoactivity
    • functional surface
    • discoloration

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