Study on the Possibilities of Developing Cementitious or Geopolymer Composite Materials with Specific Performances by Exploiting the Photocatalytic Properties of TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles
Andreea Hegyi,
Adrian-Victor Lăzărescu,
Adrian Alexandru Ciobanu,
Brăduţ Alexandru Ionescu,
Elvira Grebenişan,
Mihail Chira,
Carmen Florean,
Horaţiu Vermeşan,
Vlad Stoian
Affiliations
Andreea Hegyi
NIRD URBAN-INCERC Cluj-Napoca Branch, 117 Calea Floresti, 400524 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Adrian-Victor Lăzărescu
NIRD URBAN-INCERC Cluj-Napoca Branch, 117 Calea Floresti, 400524 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Adrian Alexandru Ciobanu
NIRD URBAN-INCERC Iaşi Branch, 6 Anton Şesan Street, 700048 Iaşi, Romania
Brăduţ Alexandru Ionescu
NIRD URBAN-INCERC Cluj-Napoca Branch, 117 Calea Floresti, 400524 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Elvira Grebenişan
NIRD URBAN-INCERC Cluj-Napoca Branch, 117 Calea Floresti, 400524 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Mihail Chira
NIRD URBAN-INCERC Cluj-Napoca Branch, 117 Calea Floresti, 400524 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Carmen Florean
NIRD URBAN-INCERC Cluj-Napoca Branch, 117 Calea Floresti, 400524 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Horaţiu Vermeşan
Faculty of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103–105 Muncii Boulevard, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Vlad Stoian
Department of Microbiology, Facutly of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3–5 Calea Mănăştur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Starting from the context of the principles of Sustainable Development and Circular Economy concepts, the paper presents a synthesis of research in the field of the development of materials of interest, such as cementitious composites or alkali-activated geopolymers. Based on the reviewed literature, the influence of compositional or technological factors on the physical-mechanical performance, self-healing capacity and biocidal capacity obtained was analyzed. The inclusion of TiO2 nanoparticles in the matrix increase the performances of cementitious composites, producing a self-cleaning capacity and an anti-microbial biocidal mechanism. As an alternative, the self-cleaning capacity can be achieved through geopolymerization, which provides a similar biocidal mechanism. The results of the research carried out indicate the real and growing interest for the development of these materials but also the existence of some elements still controversial or insufficiently analyzed, therefore concluding the need for further research in these areas. The scientific contribution of this study consists of bringing together two apparently distinct research directions in order to identify convergent points, to create a favorable framework for the development of an area of research little addressed so far, namely, the development of innovative building materials by combining improved performance with the possibility of reducing environmental impact, awareness and implementation of the concept of a Circular Economy.