Understanding the Structure and Durability of Nano-Anatase TiO2 Cement-Based Materials

普通的建筑材料，包括混凝土，现在可以通过引入纳米二氧化钛（TiO 2），特别是四氧化钛形式的纳米二氧化钛（TiO 2）来使其具有光催化活性。在水、氧气和紫外光或近紫外光的作用下，TiO 2表面发生一系列反应，使含有TiO 2的材料表面具有自清洁、杀菌和消烟的特性，特别是TiO 2的被动消烟潜力引起了人们的广泛关注。本研究将表征光催化活性材料与其水泥基基材之间的长期相容性。 一个全面的研究计划，它依赖于微观化学分析和纳米/微米尺度和批量测量的机械性能（例如，纳米压痕、显微硬度、抗压强度），将用于更好地了解初始材料结构和性能，表征表面和本体性能的影响，并描述材料变量和环境参数对性能的影响。 具有烟雾减排能力的水泥基建筑材料的长期性能的验证和潜在改进是这项研究的内在广泛影响。额外的影响将通过指导和培训的研究生和本科生研究人员在多学科的研究环境，研究成果的出版，并通过研究团队？参加国际研究会议。最后，研究小组将开发高中适当的教程的主题光催化建筑材料，并将寻求使这些公开通过现有的门户网站在格鲁吉亚技术。

Ordinary construction materials, including concrete, can now be made photocatalytically active by the introduction of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2), particularly in the tetragonal anatase form. In the presence of water, oxygen, and ultraviolet or near-ultraviolet light, a series of reactions occurs on the TiO2 surface, imparting self-cleaning, biocidal, and smog-abating qualities to the surfaces of the materials which contain it. In particular, the potential for passive smog-abatement by photocatalysis has attracted much attention. This research will characterize the long-term compatibility between photocatalytically active materials and their cement-based substrates. A comprehensive research plan, which relies upon microchemical analysis and nano/micro-scale and bulk measures of mechanical properties (e.g., nanoindentation, microhardness, compressive strength), will be used to better understand the initial material structure and properties, characterize the influence of photocatalysis on surface and bulk properties, and describe the influence of material variables and environmental parameters on performance. Verification of, and potential improvements to, the long-term performance of cement-based construction materials with smog-abating capabilities is an intrinsic broader impact of this research. Additional impact will be made through the mentoring and training of a diverse group of graduate and undergraduate researchers in a multi-disciplinary research environment, the publication of research findings, and by the research team?s participation in international research conferences. Finally, the research team will develop high-school appropriate tutorials on the topic of photocatalytic construction materials and will seek to make these publicly available through existing web portals at Georgia Tech.