Synthesis and Use of Nano Particles for Enhancing the Self-Cleaning Effects in White-Cement

Abstract

A major ingredient of concrete, tiles and other materials used for architectural and decorative purposes is white cement. Self-cleaning would be a sustainable and environmental-friendly approach to resolve the cleaning issues of building surfaces as well as to overcome the cost of time, energy, labour and materials. So this study has explored the synthesis of anatase-TiO2, Ag and ZnO nanoparticles, and their photo-catalytical properties to enhance the self-cleaning effects in white-cement at different ratios of composition. The doped formulations were mixed and coated on bricks to check the ink-stains degradation concerning the time under sunlight exposure concerning the time. The self-cleaning ability of prepared samples was evaluated under UV radiations from sunlight. - The white cement containing TiO2 co-doped with 0.2% Ag and 0.2% ZnO, mixed into the cement in a ratio of 0.2 (co-doped TiO2 to Cement) has proved to be the best combination. This ratio combination has also recorded the maximum dye (ink) degradation, the highest rate of absorption, and enhanced the degree of whiteness as compared to the remaining samples. They were characterized by XRD, UV Spectroscopy and Stereo micrographs and the maximum degradation is obtained in the 0 TiO2 co-doped with 0.2% Ag and 0.2% ZnO samples.