TiO 2 -Based Mortars for Rendering Building Envelopes: A Review of the Surface Finishing for Sustainability

Jéssica Deise Bersch (), Roberta Picanço Casarin, Joana Maia (), Angela Borges Masuero and Denise Carpena Coitinho Dal Molin
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Jéssica Deise Bersch: Núcleo Orientado para a Inovação da Edificação (NORIE), Postgraduate Program in Civil Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure (PPGCI), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Osvaldo Aranha, 99, 7th Floor, Porto Alegre 90035-190, Brazil
Roberta Picanço Casarin: Núcleo Orientado para a Inovação da Edificação (NORIE), Postgraduate Program in Civil Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure (PPGCI), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Osvaldo Aranha, 99, 7th Floor, Porto Alegre 90035-190, Brazil
Joana Maia: CONSTRUCT-LFC, Faculty of Engineering (FEUP), University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Angela Borges Masuero: Núcleo Orientado para a Inovação da Edificação (NORIE), Postgraduate Program in Civil Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure (PPGCI), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Osvaldo Aranha, 99, 7th Floor, Porto Alegre 90035-190, Brazil
Denise Carpena Coitinho Dal Molin: Núcleo Orientado para a Inovação da Edificação (NORIE), Postgraduate Program in Civil Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure (PPGCI), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Osvaldo Aranha, 99, 7th Floor, Porto Alegre 90035-190, Brazil

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 24, 1-20

Abstract: Building envelopes coated with TiO 2 -based mortars benefit from depolluting, antibiological and self-cleaning effects. Therefore, photocatalytic renders are allies in the quest for sustainability in the built environment, potentially combatting atmospheric pollution, enhancing durability and reducing maintenance needs. Surface finishing characteristics of the renders influence their photocatalytic efficiency and esthetic and functional properties. In this context, this study reviews the existing literature, focusing on proven surface-affecting parameters, the surface and color of TiO 2 -based mortars, to explore their impacts on photoactive behavior. The incorporation of TiO 2 within an additional surface layer and its mixture into the mortar in bulk were observed for surface roughness. Mainly the addition of TiO 2 during casting was identified in colored mortars. Generally, a moderate surface roughness led to better photoactivity; microroughness affected self-cleaning by facilitating dirt deposition. The interaction between the surface roughness and the photocatalytic layer affected the water contact angle, regarding superhydrophilicity or superhydrophobicity. The photoactivity of colored mortars with TiO 2 depended on the color and amount of the added pigments, which influenced electron–hole recombination, physically occupied active sites or, on the other hand, led to a higher formation of reactive radicals. Surface finishing can thus be designed to enhance the photoactivity of TiO 2 -based mortars, which is fundamental for current climate concerns and emphasizes the need for life cycle assessments and environmental protection.

Keywords: TiO 2; mortar; surface finishing; roughness; pigment; color; building envelope; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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