Abstract
The constantly escalating pollution on the surface of cement-based materials affects architectural aesthetics and residents′ health, necessitating frequent cleaning and maintenance, which contradicts the concept of sustainable development. This study aimed to develop a novel photocatalytic cement material to enhance the self-cleaning capabilities of cement-based materials, thereby extending their service life and reducing maintenance costs. To achieve this, carbon quantum dots (CDs) and g-C3N4 (CN) nanocomposite photocatalysts (CDs@CN) were synthesized and integrated into white cement to prepare photocatalytic cements. The materials were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet–visible–near infrared (UV–Vis–NIR) spectroscopy. Photocatalytic performance was evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under xenon (Xe) lamp, Vis light and UV light. The CDs@CN nanocomposite displayed superior photocatalytic activity, particularly under Xe lamp irradiation, achieving over 95 % degradation of RhB within 1 h. Even under Vis and UV light, the photocatalytic cement retains robust self-cleaning capabilities, achieving pollutant degradation rates of 81 % and 63 %, respectively, within 1 h. This performance exceeded that of pristine CN and control samples, demonstrating effective light absorption and charge separation. The optimal photocatalyst concentration in cement was identified as 0.1∼5.0 wt%, balancing performance and dispersion. The developed CDs@CN-based photocatalytic cement material offers a sustainable solution for self-cleaning and environmental purification. This study provides insights into the design of functional cementitious materials and contributes to the sustainable development of the construction industry.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call