The Use of Photocatalytic Concretes in Road Construction

Abstract

The article discusses the possibility of reducing the atmospheric environmental load of highways by applying compositions with photocatalytic properties to acoustic screens. It is found that the amount of nitrogen oxides on the territory of the city of Moscow exceeds the MPC norms. Therefore, a potential way to reduce the level of the average daily and maximum one-time MPC of nitrogen oxides is proposed, when using coatings of traditional acoustic screens with photocatalytic compositions. Titanium dioxide in anatase form is considered as a photocatalytic agent. To reduce the density and increase the porosity of cement compositions, a cellulosic suspension obtained by saturation in an aqueous medium with subsequent homogenization is introduced. The effect of cellulose in the considered cement systems in combination with a photocatalytic agent has been investigated. By the method of mathematical planning, a two-factor compositional experiment is compiled. In result, the degrees of influence of titanium dioxide and cellulose additives on the strength, density and water absorption of the composites under study are established. The study of the structure of the obtained composites shows that TiO2 is mainly located on the surface of cellulose fibers, which theoretically increases the useful surface for photocatalytic reactions and, as a consequence, the final efficiency of the compositions.