Photocatalytic and Pozzolanic Properties of Nano-SiO(2)/Al(2)O(3)-TiO(2) Powder for Functional Mortar

The present study intended to find a way to use TiO(2), one of the most widely used photocatalysts, as a construction material. To that end, nano-SiO(2)/Al(2)O(3)-TiO(2) powder (NTCP) was synthesized by coating SiO(2) and Al(2)O(3) support materials with TiO(2). The NTCP was anatase phase spherical particles, specific surface areas were 319 m(2)/g and 267 m(2)/g for the SiO(2)-TiO(2) powder and Al(2)O(3)-TiO(2) powder. UV absorption test results showed the developed NTCP had a light absorption peak at wavelengths of 380 nm or below, and its absorbance was much larger than that of commercial TiO(2). The NTCP formed smaller pores on the surface than commercial TiO(2). As a result, the flow of the mortar decreased as the adsorption strength increased and combined a large number of water molecules. In addition, the Pozzolanic reaction by SiO(2) and Al(2)O(3) used as support materials produced many calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and calcium aluminate hydrate (C-A-H). This has shown an increased strength of mortar mixed with the NTCP by promoting a nucleation effect and reducing the filling effect and the number of harmful holes in the mortar.