These were cement-based materials and organic-based coatings. Two binders were considered in the objectives of this project. Such materials, when exposed to solar UV rays, will act as a catalyst for the photoinduced decomposition of organic molecules adsorbed or occluded on its surface. The self-cleaning and de-polluting abilities arise from the photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide which can be introduced either in the building matrix or surface coatings. The aim of the European Project PICADA, as Photocatalytic Innovative Coverings Applications for De-pollution Assessment, is actually to develop a range of such novel materials and to evaluate large scale effect (typically in a canyon street). The development of new materials that can be easily applied on facades, with both self-cleaning and de-polluting properties would be a significant step towards improvements in urban quality of cities. Unfortunately, industrial pollution has exacerbated the problems with impacts on both the quality of the urban environment and the life cycle cost of the buildings. The phenomenon of facade soiling and staining is probably as old as the cities themselves.
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December 2022
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