Influence of TiO2 Nanoparticles Addition on the Hydrophilicity of Cementitious Composites Surfaces

The effect of the use of TiO2 nanoparticles in the production of cementitious composites, worldwide already known, represents an area of interest for the development of materials with self-cleaning capacity; antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal properties; and to contribute to the reduction of e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inApplied sciences Vol. 10; no. 13; p. 4501
Main Authors Hegyi, Andreea, Szilagyi, Henriette, Grebenișan, Elvira, Sandu, Andrei Victor, Lăzărescu, Adrian-Victor, Romila, Claudiu
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.07.2020
Subjects
Cement
cementitious composites
Cleaning
Cleaning process
Composite materials
Contact angle
Fungicides
Hydrophilic surfaces
Hydrophilicity
Nanoparticles
NMR
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Photocatalysis
Pollutants
self-cleaning
Spectrum analysis
Surface water
TiO2 nanoparticles
Titanium
Titanium dioxide
Ultraviolet radiation
Water absorption
Water pollution
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Summary:The effect of the use of TiO2 nanoparticles in the production of cementitious composites, worldwide already known, represents an area of interest for the development of materials with self-cleaning capacity; antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal properties; and to contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution. This paper aims to analyze the influence that TiO2 nanoparticles have on the cementitious matrix regarding hydrophilicity, this being one of the two main parameters of the self-cleaning mechanism. Experimental tests, conducted by using the indirect method of measuring the surface water absorption, indicated that an addition of 3%-6% (relative to the amount of cement) of TiO2 nanoparticles is effective in terms of increasing the surface hydrophilicity of the cementitious composites. An excess of TiO2 nanoparticles in the composite matrix (10% TiO2 nanoparticles relative to the amount of cement) not only does not improve surface performance in terms of hydrophilicity, but also reduces them. However, in practice on a case-by-case basis, an analysis is required regarding the optimal amount of nanoparticles used as an addition in the mix-design of the cementitious materials that are intended to induce the quality of self-cleaning process, depending on the intended use, climate, degree and duration of sunlight, and so on.
ISSN:2076-3417
2076-3417
DOI:10.3390/app10134501