Engineering and scaling-up ceramic tiles with humidity self-regulation functionality

Abstract

The humidity regulation in the interior spaces of buildings by means of passive solutions that do not require energy consumption is a topic of great interest due to the current needs for comfort and energy efficiency. This paper addresses the engineering of humidity regulating ceramic tiles that incorporate a functional coating formulated from gibbsite together with other common raw materials whose moisture regulating capacity has been demonstrated previously. A multi-layer coating tile system has been proposed, consisting of the following elements: an engobe layer, the functional coating with the regulating capacity, a decoration by inkjet technology and a protective topcoat glaze.This system has been analysed with moisture adsorption–desorption tests. The moisture regulation capacity and the effect of the coating thickness on this property have been determined, allowing to optimise the functionality.Finally, an analysis of the humidity regulation has been performed on the basis of demonstrators or small-sized cubicles that simulate the conditions of final use in rooms of buildings. The results show the different behaviour of the demonstrator with functional tiles in relation to conventional tiles, with an indoor ambient humidity that remains in the comfort zone for longer periods of time.