Nanotechnologies in Construction: A Scientific Internet-Journal2075-8545ООО "Центр новых технологий "НаноСтроительство"10.15828/2075-8545-2026-18-1-5-14TOFVXKResearch ArticleSelf-cleaning capacity of photocatalytic building plasters under frost attackKiikoPolina I.

Lecturer, Department of Building Materials and Products

kiikopi@susu.ruChernykhTamara N.

Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, Institute of Architecture and Construction, Department of Building Materials and Products

chernykhtn@susu.ruKriushinMikhail V.

Junior Researcher, Institute of Architecture and Construction, Department of Building Materials and Products

kriushinmv@susu.ruWangJiao

Institute of Architecture and Construction, Department of Building Materials and Products

2287892720@qq.comOrlovAleksandr A.

Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Associate Professor, Institute of Architecture and Construction, Department of Building Materials and Products

orlovaa@susu.ruChelyabinskRussian FederationSouth Ural State University (National Research University)181514© Polina I. Kiiko, Tamara N. Chernykh, Mikhail V. Kriushin, Jiao Wang, Aleksandr A. OrlovPolina I. Kiiko, Tamara N. Chernykh, Mikhail V. Kriushin, Jiao Wang, Aleksandr A. Orlovhttps://nanobuild.ru/ru_RU/journal/Nanobuild-1-2026/5-14.pdf

Introduction. The durability of the self-cleaning capacity of photocatalytic building materials under real operating conditions is a crucial issue, as their efficiency decreases over time due to surface degradation and carbonation. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the stability of the photocatalytic activity in two types of plasters - gypsum-cement-pozzolan plaster (based on red gypsum) and cement plaster (with anatase photocatalyst) - to cyclic freezing and thawing, as well as to investigate the effect of water-reducing and pozzolan additives on maintaining their self-cleaning ability. Materials and Methods. Series of plaster samples were prepared with and without different combinations of additives. Photocatalytic activity was assessed using the rhodamine test. Changes in the materials were analyzed using compressive strength, density, and water absorption test methods. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometry was used to measure the titanium (photocatalyst marker) and calcium (carbonation marker) content on the surface. Destructive frost effects were simulated by the cyclic freezing and thawing of samples in a water-saturated state. Results. It was found that the primary mechanism causing the loss of the self-cleaning capacity was photocatalyst washout due to surface degradation. Shielding of the photocatalyst by carbonation products is also crucial for cement plasters. Water-reducing additives increased the initial self-cleaning efficiency by 45% due to structure compaction, which slowed surface degradation. Pozzolan additives reduced surface calcium content by 6-8%, suppressing carbonation and almost doubled the initial efficiency. The combined use of these additives demonstrated the best results in maintaining photocatalytic activity after freezing and thawing. Discussion and Conclusion. The durability of the self-cleaning capacity directly depends on the resistance of the carrier material to climatic impacts. Combined modification with water-reducing and pozzolan additives is the most effective strategy for improving the durability of self-cleaning plasters, as it simultaneously counteracts two key degradation mechanisms: physical washout of the photocatalyst and its chemical shielding by carbonates. This study provides a practical approach to developing more sustainable photocatalytic building materials.

mortarmixturesphotocatalytic plastersphotocatalytic additivesanataseself-cleaningfrost resistanceNeves J.C., Mohallem N.D.S., Viana M.M. Self-cleaning materials: Concepts, properties and applications. Revista Virtual de Quimica. 2021;13(2). https://doi.org/10.21577/1984-6835.20210003Ragesh P., Anand Ganesh V., Nair S.V., Nair A.S. A review on “self-cleaning and multifunctional materials”. J Mater Chem A Mater. 2014;2(36):14773-97. https://doi.org/10.1039/c4ta02542cHamidi F., Aslani F. Tio2-based photocatalytic cementitious composites: Materials, properties, influential parameters, and assessment techniques. Nanomaterials. 2019;9(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9101444Topçu ilker bekir. Self-Cleaning Concretes: an Overview. Journal of Cement Based Composites. 2020; 1(2). https://doi.org/10.36937/cebacom.2020.002.002Janus M., Bubacz K., Zatorska J., Kusiak-Nejman E., Czyzewski A., Morawski A.W. Preliminary studies of photocatalytic activity of gypsum plasters containing TiO2 co-modified with nitrogen and carbon. Polish Journal of Chemical Technology. 2015;17(2):96-102. https://doi.org/10.1515/pjct-2015-0036Li X., Simon U., Bekheet M.F., Gurlo A. Mineral-Supported Photocatalysts: A Review of Materials, Mechanisms and Environmental Applications. Energies. 2022;15(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/en15155607Pal B., Sharon M., Nogami G. Preparation and characterization of TiO2/Fe2O3 binary mixed oxides and its photocatalytic properties. Mater Chem Phys. 1999;59(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0254-0584(99)00071-1Lezner M., Grabowska E., Zaleska A. Preparation and photocatalytic activity of iron-modified titanium dioxide photocatalyst. Physicochemical Problems of Mineral Processing. 2012;48(1).Строкова В.В., Губарева Е.Н., Баскаков П.С., Огурцова Ю.Н., Антоненко М.В., Абзалилова А.В. Фотокаталитическая активность композиционного материала, полученного методом золь-гель осаждения TiO2 на кремнеземный носитель. Вестник Технологического Университета. 2020;23(10):5-10. EDN: PFQMLSЛабузова М.В., Губарева Е.Н., Огурцова Ю.Н., Строкова В.В. Использование фотокаталитического композиционного материала в цементной системе. Строительные материалы. 2019;5:16-21. https://doi.org/10.31659/0585-430X-2019-770-5-16-21 EDN: EZOZDRSamchenko S.V., Kozlova I.V., Korshunov A.V., Zemskova O.V., Dudareva M.O. Synthesis and Evaluation of Properties of an Additive Based on Bismuth Titanates for Cement Systems. Materials. 2023;16(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186262Son B.T, Long N.V, Nhat Hang N.T. Fly ash-, foundry sand-, clay-, and pumice-based metal oxide nanocomposites as green photocatalysts. RSCAdvances. 2021;11(49). https://doi.org/10.1039/d1ra05647fGarcfa-Munoz P., Pliego G., Zazo J.A., Bahamonde A., Casas J.A. Ilmenite (FeTiO3) as low cost catalyst for advanced oxidation processes. J Environ Chem Eng. 2016;4(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2015.11.037Sotiriadis K., Kiyko P.I., Chernykh T.N., Kriushin M.V. Self-cleaning ability of gypsum-cement-pozzolan binders based on thermally processed red gypsum waste of titanium oxide manufacture. Journal of Building Engineering. 2024;87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.109009Chen J., Poon C. Sun. Photocatalytic construction and building materials: From fundamentals to applications. Building and Environment. 2009;44(9). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2009.01.002Guerrini G.L., Plassais A., Pepe C., Cassar L. Use of photocatalytic cementitious materials for self-cleaning applications.International RILEM Symposium on Photocatalysis, Environment and Construction Materials. 2007.Castro-Hoyos A.M., Rojas Manzano M.A., Maury-Ramfrez A. Challenges and Opportunities of Using Titanium Dioxide Photocatalysis on Cement-Based Materials. Coatings. 2022;12(7):1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12070968La Tegola A., Longo F., Lanzilotti A. The pavilions of Expo 2015 in Milan, as a privileged observatory about the concept of sustainable construction in all languages of the world. Sust. Build. 2019;4(1). https://doi.org/10.1051/sbuild/2019001Beeldens A. Air purification by road materials: results of the test project in Antwerp.International RILEM Symposium on Photocatalysis, Environment and Construction Materials. 2007;1.Maggos T., Plassais A., Bartzis J.G., Vasilakos C., Moussiopoulos N., Bonafous L. Photocatalytic degradation of NOx in a pilot street canyon configuration using TiO2-mortar panels. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 2008;136(1-3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-007-9722-22Cardellicchio L. Self-cleaning and colour-preserving efficiency of photocatalytic concrete: case study of the Jubilee Church in Rome. Building Research and Information. 2020;48(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2019.1622405Castro-Hoyos A.M., Rojas Manzano M.A., Maury-Ramfrez A. Challenges and Opportunities of Using Titanium Dioxide Photocatalysis on Cement-Based Materials. Т. Coatings. 2022;12(7):1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12070968Артемьев Ю.М., Рябчук В.К. Введение в гетерогенный фотокатализ. СПб: Изд-во С.-Петерб. ун-та; 1999.Padmanabhan N.T., John H. Titanium dioxide based self-cleaning smart surfaces: A short review. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2020;8(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2020.104211Антоненко М., Огурцова Ю., Строкова В., Губарева Е. Фотокаталитически активные самоочищающиеся цементные материалы. Состав, свойства, применение. Вестник Белгородского государственного технологического университета им. В.Г. Шухова. 2020;16-25. https://doi.org/10.34031/2071-7318-2020-5-3-16-25 EDN: AFKKXMAntonenko M.V., Ogurtsova Y.N., Strokova V.V., Gubareva E.N. The effect of titanium dioxide sol stabilizer on the properties of photocatalytic composite material. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering. 2021;95. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54652-6_3Ogurtsova Y.N., Strokova V.V., Zhao P., Antonenko M.V., Gubareva EN. Properties of cement with photocatalytic composite material. Materials Science Forum. 2021. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.1040.153Carmona-Quiroga P.M., Martmez-Ramirez S., Viles H.A. Efficiency and durability of a self-cleaning coating on concrete and stones under both natural and artificial ageing trials. ApplSurf Sci. 2018;433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.10.052Liu G., Zhao T., Fei H., Li F., Guo W., Yao Z. A review of various self-cleaning surfaces, durability and functional applications on building exteriors. Construction and Building Materials. 2023;409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134084Khannyra S., Luna M., Gil M.L.A., Addou M., Mosquera M.J. Self-cleaning durability assessment of TiO2/SiO2 photocatalysts coated concrete: Effect of indoor and outdoor conditions on the photocatalytic activity. Building and Environment. 2022;211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108743Bersch J.D., Flores-Colen I., Masuero A.B., Dal Molin D.C.C. Photocatalytic TiO2-Based Coatings for Mortars on Facades: A Review of Efficiency, Durability, and Sustainability. Buildings. 2023;13(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13010186Guo M.Z., Maury-Ramirez A., Poon C.S. Self-cleaning ability of titanium dioxide clear paint coated architectural mortar and its potential in field application. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2016;112:3583-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.10.079Kaya-Özkiper K., Uzun A., Soyer-Uzun S. Red mud- and metakaolin-based geopolymers for adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue: Towards self-cleaning construction materials. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2021;288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125120Zhang J., Yan Y., Hu Z. Preparation and characterization of foamed concrete with Ti-extracted residues and red gypsum. Construction and Building Materials. 2018;171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.03.072Hughes P.N., Glendinning S, Manning D.A.C, Noble B.C. Production of «green» concrete using red gypsum and waste. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Engineering Sustainability. 2010;163(3). https://doi.org/10.1680/ensu.2010.163.3.137Сагдатуллин Д.Г., Морозова Н.Н., Хозин В.Г., Власов В.В. Высокопрочное гипсоцементноцеолитовое вяжущее. Строительные материалы. 2010;03:53-55. EDN: MBCHZR