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Building and Environment 49 (2012) 117e123

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Building and Environment


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Evaluation of the inuence of environmental conditions on the efciency of photocatalytic coatings in the degradation of nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Joo V. Staub de Melo*, Glicrio Trichs
Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Civil Engineering, Joo Pio Duarte Silva, Crrego Grande, 88040900 Florianpolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil

a r t i c l e i n f o
Article history: Received 8 June 2011 Received in revised form 27 August 2011 Accepted 13 September 2011 Keywords: Titanium dioxide Photocatalytic mortar Environmental conditions Nitrogen oxides

a b s t r a c t
The incorporation of titanium dioxide (TiO2) into cement mortars generates materials with photocatalytic properties, that is, a cement matrix able to capture and degrade atmospheric pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx). The chemical phenomenon of NOx degradation requires the activation of TiO2 through ultraviolet radiation (UV-A), as well as water and oxygen molecules necessary for the generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH), responsible for the degradation of NOx. While photocatalytic materials are in service they are subject to different environmental conditions with regard to the incidence of UV-A radiation, relative humidity of the air and movement of the pollutant masses by the wind. This study aims to evaluate the inuence of these different environmental conditions on the efciency of photocatalytic mortar in the degradation of NOx. Using a specically-developed test apparatus, the efciency of a photocatalytic mortar was tested under 27 different environmental conditions, obtained by varying the relative air humidity (30, 50 and 70%), UV-A radiation (10, 25 and 40 W/m2) and pollutant mass ow rate (1, 3 and 5 l/min). All tests were carried out with an initial concentration of nitric oxide (NO) of 20 ppmv. It was observed that the higher the levels of UV-A radiation the better the performance of the mortar in the degradation of NOx. On the other hand, higher percentages of relative humidity and ow rate caused a decrease in photocatalytic activity. The experimental results veried that the environmental conditions have a considerable inuence on the efciency of photocatalytic mortar in the degradation of NOx. Crown Copyright 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction Automobile trafc is an important source of atmospheric pollution in urban areas, which is of serious and growing concern, given the substantial risks to public health due to increases in the concentration of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx). According to Prodesp [1] the deterioration of air quality in the Metropolitan Region of So Paulo/Brazil (MRSP) is due to the atmospheric emissions of around 2000 industrial plants of high polluting potential and a registered eet of approximately 9.7 million vehicles. According to 2009 estimates, these pollution sources are responsible for the emission to the atmosphere of 376,300 t/a of NOx. Of this total, vehicles are responsible for 96% of the emissions. According to Cetesb [2], the annual report on the air quality of So Paulo State shows that ozone was the pollutant which surpassed to the greatest extent the standards for air quality

* Corresponding author. Tel.: 55 48 84678412. E-mail address: victor@ecv.ufsc.br (J.V.S. de Melo).

(320 mg/m3) in 2010, with acceptable ozone levels being surpassed on 61 days in MRSP. This urban area has a high potential for the formation of ozone, since its precursors (NOx) are emitted in large quantities, mainly by vehicles. In this regard, the air quality standard in relation to ozone cannot be reached without a signicant reduction in the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Due to the large growing eets of vehicles in cities, the current measures taken to ght air pollution, including the use of fuels derived from renewable sources (green fuel) and catalytic devices installed in vehicles and industrial plants, are not sufcient to meet the air quality standards established by the current legislation and by the World Health Organization (WHO). This problem has stimulated the search for new technologies in order to reduce levels of urban pollution, with the aim of making cities more inhabitable. The use of photocatalytic materials is currently one of the most studied methods of combating air pollution [3,4]. A large quantity of such materials consists of the mixture of a semiconductor, such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), with a cement mortar, allowing a vast array of applications, e.g., in coatings for pavement surfaces and constructions [5e10].

0360-1323/$ e see front matter Crown Copyright 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2011.09.016

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Photocatalysis, i.e., catalysis that uses photons, is a process that is being increasingly applied and is showing excellent results [11e13] in the degradation of air pollutants. Heterogeneous photocatalysis was discovered by Fujishima and Honda in 1972, while carrying out experiments on the photo-oxidation of water in TiO2 electrodes. The mechanism of photocatalytic oxidation has been extensively investigated. The degradation process of nitrogen oxides (NOx) through heterogeneous photocatalysis can be represented by Equations (1)e(9) [14e17]. Equation (1) shows the absorption of photons (hn) of ultraviolet A radiation (315e400 nm) by the semiconductor (TiO2), resulting in the transfer of an electron (e) from the valence band (VB) to the conduction band (CB) with concomitant generation of a gap (h) in the valence band (VB). TiO2 hn / e h

Fig. 1. X-ray Diffraction of the Rutile sample (10 40 nm).

(1)

Equations 2e4 show the adsorption of the reagents (H2O, O2 and NO) by TiO2: TiO2 H2O )/ TiO2H2O TiO2 O2 )/ TiO2O2 TiO2 NO )/ TiO2NO (2) (3) (4)

humidity, UV-A radiation, velocity and wind direction. This paper presents the results of a study that evaluated the inuence of different environmental conditions (UV-A radiation, relative humidity and ow rate) on the efciency of a photocatalytic mortar in the degradation of nitrogen oxides (NOx). 2. Materials and methods 2.1. Materials used in the Research For the production of the photocatalytic mortar, Portland cement with Pozzolan - CP II Z 32 was used, with a density of 2.97 g/cm3. A nanometric titanium dioxide (TiO2) sample in the form of a rutile bar with a diameter of 10 nm, length of 40 nm, 98% purity, specic surface of 150 10 m2/g and real density of 4.23 g/cm3 was used as the catalyst. The crystalline structure of the rutile is shown in the x-ray diffraction spectrum in Fig. 1. The photocatalytic mortar was produced with an aggregate of granitic origin, and the sieve size through which 100% of the sample particles passed was number 4 (4.8 mm). Fig. 2 and Table 1 present the granulometry of the aggregate used. 2.2. Production of the photocatalytic mortar

Equations 5 and 6 show the generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH) from water molecules adsorbed on the surface of the semiconductor: H2Oabs. )/ OH H h OH / OH H (5) (6)

Equations (7)e(9) show the oxidation of NO and NO2 to nitrate ions (NO): 3 NO OH / HNO2 HNO2 OH / NO2 H2O (7) (8)

NO2 OH  /NOL H 3

(9)

The product of the degradation reaction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) is nitrate ions (Equation (9)) [18]. The removal of reaction products on the surface is carried out by rain as they are dissolved (neutralized) in an aqueous medium. Therefore, the removal of the pollutant is driven only by natural energy [19]. Through the NOx degradation mechanism, represented by Equations (1)e(9), it is clear that the efciency of the catalyst in the process depends directly on the radiation at a wavelength of 315e400 nm and on the presence of water molecules. The effect of these two parameters on the efciency of the degradation of NOx is reported in several publications [13,20,21], including by Hsken et al. [11], who identied that the efciency of the degradation mechanism increases with UV-A radiation and decreases with relative humidity. Nevertheless, studies performed by Yu and Brouwers [22] provided results which led to the conclusion that water plays an important role in the generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH), improving the efciency of heterogeneous photocatalysis. Other studies [11,13,23,24] have also highlighted the inuence of the ow rate on the efciency of photocatalytic materials. In service, photocatalytic coatings will be subject to the interference of different environmental conditions and the chemical kinetics of the pollutant degradation reaction may be inuenced by changes in the environmental parameters, such as relative

The photocatalytic mortar was developed with a view to its application as the surface layer of precast concrete paving (PCP). Initially, optimization of the photocatalytic mortar was performed. Mortars with the addition of 3, 6 and 10% TiO2 were studied, and layers of photocatalytic mortar with thicknesses of 3, 6 and 10 mm were applied to samples of PCP. The evaluation of the cost/photocatalytic efciency led to a mortar with a thickness of 3 mm and the incorporation of 3% of TiO2. To evaluate the inuence of environmental conditions on the degradation of NOx, the optimized mortar was produced with the

Fig. 2. Particle size of aggregate.

J.V.S. de Melo, G. Trichs / Building and Environment 49 (2012) 117e123 Table 1 Particle size of aggregate. Sieve no no no no no no no 4 8 16 30 50 100 200 Opening (mm) 4.8 2.4 1.2 0.6 0.3 0.15 0.075 % Passing Through Sieve (Cumulative) 100 71.72 52.65 34.97 22.9 15.13 10.08

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incorporation of 3% titanium dioxide in the form of rutile in relation to the weight of Portland cement. The quantities were selected in order to obtain a mortar with a resistance to simple compression of 35 MPa. To achieve this resistance, the mix was dened as 1:3.5 (cement: aggregate); the water/cement ratio was 0.405 and the specic mass was 2.319 g/cm3. The photocatalytic mortar was applied on the surface of the PCP samples (20 10 6 cm) during the casting process in order to obtain a monolithic piece. Fig. 3 illustrates the photocatalytic mortar applied to the surface of a PCP sample. Three PCP samples with photocatalytic mortar (referred to herein as pieces) were produced, with a total area of 600 cm2. 2.3. Photoreactor for the measurement of photocatalytic activity In order to be able to quantify and obtain reliable values for the efciency of the photocatalytic mortar in the degradation of NOx, as well as to establish experimental conditions close to the eld parameters, a photoreactor was developed, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The test photoreactor is composed of three main systems described below. 1) Gas System: This is responsible for the control and transport of gases to the photoreactor and then to the atmosphere. This system is composed of cylinders of synthetic air (79.5% N2 and 20.5% O2) (2) and nitric oxide (NO) (1) with a concentration of 500 ppmv stabilized in nitrogen (N2), simulating a polluted atmosphere through the mixture of the two gases in the photoreactor cell (12). From ow controllers (4) installed in the pipe, the pollutant concentration (ppmv) and relative humidity (%) required for the test are calibrated. With rotameters (7) placed along the pipe, the ow rate (l/min) of the uid is controlled. The required percentage of relative humidity is obtained through the dosage of the quantity of air that passes through a humidier (5) connected to a synthetic air pipe. The relative humidity of the air is controlled by a hygrometer (14) installed inside the photoreactor cell (12).

2) Photoreactor Cell: This was developed to test samples with a maximum effective area of 1200 cm2. The cell is divided into two parts, upper (lid) and lower (base). The lid is responsible for the emission of UV-A radiation onto the PCP. It has four 30 W light bulbs (9) (315e400 nm UV-A radiation) connected to a dimmable ballast (10), which in turn is connected to a variable power supply (0e10 V) (11), where light intensity (1e100%) is changed through the variation of the voltage. Inside the cell of the photoreactor (12) a light meter (15) and a hygrometer (14) are connected in order to measure the light intensity incident on the PCPs and the relative humidity. 3) System of Analysis and Data Acquisition: This is composed of a NOx analyzer (17) coupled to the pipe after the photoreactor cell. The acquisition of data is carried out by a microcomputer (18) connected to the NOx analyzer.

2.4. Evaluation of the inuence of environmental conditions on photocatalysis efciency The city of So Paulo/Brazil has a serious problem regarding NOx emissions and, consequently, the generation of secondary pollutants such as ozone. This problem is intensied during the dry period, between May and September. This period is critical due to the high concentrations of primary pollutants, caused by the greater occurrence of thermal inversions at low levels, a high percentage of calm weather, weak winds and low rainfall indices. Another aggravating factor is that at the end of this period the highest number of occurrences of tropospheric ozone is recorded in the region of the city. In this context, with the aim of applying this technology in So Paulo/Brazil, the factorial experiments was dened statistically with an array of values for the environmental conditions characteristic of this city for the dry (critical) period. For the relative air humidity a spectrum of 30 5% to 70 5% was dened where the extreme values represent the lowest and highest values of relative air humidity which can occur during the dry period with 90% of condence. Regarding the UV-A radiation, the spectrum investigated was 10 2 W/m2 to 40 2 W/m2 which represents approximately 95% of a sunny day characteristic of this period of the year. It can be observed in Fig. 5 that 10 2 W/m2 represents a typical value of radiation occurring in the early morning and late afternoon and 40 2 W/m2 is a characteristic value in the middle of the day. The ow rate values were dened with the aim of obtaining low surface speeds since the high concentrations of pollutants in the eld occur in situations with a high percentage of calm weather (weak wind). The spectrum for the air ow studied was 3 l/min to 5 l/min. In order to evaluate and characterize the inuence of UV-A radiation, relative humidity and ow rate on the efciency of the photocatalytic mortar, 27 tests were conducted with different combinations of environmental conditions that may occur during service. The spectrum of values applied in the tests carried out can be seen in Table 2. From the ow rate values investigated in this study it can be considered, based on Reynolds equation (Equation 10), that the ow in the interior of the photoreactor cell is laminar. The average value calculated for the speed of the uid on the surface of the pieces is 0.278 cm/s (1 l/min), 0.835 cm/s (3 l/min) and 1.392 cm/s (5 l/min). Re (vair$rair$D)/mair where, v is the speed of the ow; P is the specic mass of the uid; (10)

Fig. 3. Photocatalytic mortar applied to a PCP sample.

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Fig. 4. Photoreactor for the measurement of photocatalytic activity.

D is the diameter of the pipe; and. m is the dynamic viscosity of the uid. Fig. 6 illustrates the incidence of UV-A radiation in the interior of the photoreactor cell calibrated for the tests with 10 2 W/m2. The three geometries traced in the graph represent the locations of the three photocatalytic PCPs (600 cm2) inside the photoreactor, the region where the incidence of the UV-A radiation is more homogenous, around 10 W/m2. The test was conducted as follows: initially, the calibration of the system was carried out under the required test conditions, in terms of initial pollutant concentration (ppmv), relative humidity (%), ow rate (l/min) and UV-A radiation (W/m2). For all of the tests carried out the initial concentration of NO was 20 ppmv and the photocatalytic area was 600 cm2. After the adjustments of the parameters that reproduce a polluted environment, the test was started. It consisted of the exposure of the three parts to a polluted environment inside the photoreactor for 40 min. The 40 min of the test are characterized by three stages: the rst has a duration of 5 min without incidence of UV-A radiation; the second stage has a duration of 25 min with incidence of UV-A radiation; and in the last stage the UV-A radiation is off for 10 min, that is, until the end of the test.

3. Results and discussion 3.1. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) degradation test Fig. 7 shows a diagram of the typical concentration of NOx (NO NO2) during the three stages of the test. In the rst stage, there is no incidence of UV-A radiation, activation of the sites of the TiO2 on the surface of the photocatalytic PPCs does not occur, and neither does NOx degradation. The concentration of NOx is kept constant at 20 ppmv during the rst 5 min. In the second stage, the UV-A radiation of 10 W/m2 is on for 25 min. The heterogeneous photocatalysis reaction begins soon after and the degradation of the pollutant begins. It was veried that after approximately 20 min of UV-A radiation (at 25 min of the test), complete activation of all of the TiO2 sites is achieved, this being the maximum peak of NOx degradation, characterized by a constant degradation of the pollutant. In the third stage, corresponding to the last 10 min of the test, the UV-A radiation is off and the photocatalytic reactions begin to stop and, consequently, a return to the initial concentration of the pollutant of 20 ppmv of NOx occurs. It can be observed that the maximum removal of NOx achieved in the test is 12 ppmv. In this case the test conditions are an initial concentration of NO of 20 ppmv, relative air humidity of 50%, ow rate of 1 l/min and UV-A radiation of 10 W/m2. The calculation of the maximum removal of NOx in ppmv reached in the test can be obtained from Equation 11:

Table 2 Evaluation of the degradation of NOx under different test conditions. Parameter Varied Flow Rate (l/min) For 1, 3 and 5 Relative Humidity (5%) 30 UV-A Radiation (2 W/m2) 10 25 40 10 25 40 10 25 40

50

70 Fig. 5. UV-A radiation characteristic of a sunny day during the dry period in the city of So Paulo/Brazil.

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Fig. 6. Visualization of the interior of the photoreactor cell.

NOxremoval

[ppmv]

[CNOx]initial

[ppmv] [CNOx]end [ppmv]

(11)

where, CNOx, initial is the initial concentration of NOx 20 ppmv; and. CNOx, end is the constant NOx concentration reached at the end of the second stage of the test in ppmv. The maximum removal of NOx in mg/hr/m2 reached in the test is calculated based on Equation 12: NOxremoval [mg/hr/m2] (NOxremoval [ppmv] P[Pa] M[g/mol] V[m3/h])/ (8131,4 T[K] A[m2]) (12) Onde, NOxremoval is the maximum removal of NOx in ppmv reached in the test (Equation 11); P is the pressure in Pascal (1 atm 101330 Pa); M is the molecular mass of the pollutant in g/mol; V is the total value in m3 of the polluted atmosphere which passes through the photoreactor in 1 h; T is the temperature of the sample in Kelvin (20  C 293 K); and. A is the photocatalytic area tested in m2.

3.2. Inuence of UV-A radiation and relative air humidity The test results with the variation of UV-A radiation and relative humidity for a ow rate of 1 l/min are shown in Fig. 8. The results are relative to the maximum degradation peak observed in the test.

Fig. 8 clearly shows the inuence of UV-A radiation on the degradation of NOx. From the curves for the three different relative humidity (RH) values, the degradation of NOx increases with an increase in UV-A radiation, i.e., higher amounts of TiO2 (rutile) sites are activated, which is consistent with results reported by Hsken et al. [11]. It can be observed that an increase in UV-A radiation from 10 to 25 W/m2 results in a signicant increase in the rate of degradation of the pollutant. With an increase in the UV-A radiation from 25 to 40 W/m2, however, there is an increase in the degradation, but this is not as expressive as in the previous interval. In summary, with an increase in UV-A radiation the degradation curves of NOx tend to be asymptotic. This trend is explained by the fact that all exposed TiO2 sites on the surface of the PCPs may be close to being activated, limiting the maximum efciency that the photocatalytic mortar could reach in the eld under these environmental conditions. Table 3 gives the NOx degradation results in ppmv and mg/hr/m2 obtained with UV-A radiation of 40 W/m2. On evaluating Fig. 8 and Table 4, in contrast to the ndings of Yu and Brouwers [22], the adverse effect of humidity on the efciency of the piece in terms of the degradation of the pollutant is clearly observed. With an increase of relative humidity, there is a decrease in photocatalytic activity, a trend also reported by Hsken et al. [11] and Beeldens [13]. This detrimental effect caused by increased relative humidity is characterized by saturation and competition between the water molecules and pollutant particles on the surface of the piece. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the hydrophilic effect on the surface of the piece prevails over the oxidative effect. It should be noted, however, that a certain level of relative humidity is necessary for the production of hydroxyl radicals, but it must remain at a low percentage.

Fig. 7. Concentration of NOx during the test.

Fig. 8. Results for NOx degradation with different relative humidity and UV-A radiation values (ow rate of 1 l/min).

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Table 3 NOx Degradation with UV-A radiation of 40 W/m2 (1 l/min and variable RH). Environmental Conditions 1 l/mine30%RH 1 l/mine50%RH 1 l/mine70%RH NOx Degradation (ppmv) - (mg/hr/m2) 18e35.28 16e31.36 13e23.52

3.3. Inuence of ow rate Fig. 9 illustrates the ow rate results for the tests with variations in the UV-A radiation and relative humidity for ow rates of 1, 3 and 5 l/min which characterize average speeds inside the photoreactor cell, that is, 0.278 cm/s, 0.835 cm/s and 1.392 cm/s, respectively. The results obtained are similar to those obtained by Hsken et al. [11], where the higher the ow rate, i.e., the faster the ow passes through the photocatalytic mortar, the lower the degradation of the pollutant (in ppmv or mg/m3). This would indicate that a certain residence time of the pollutant particle is required for the photocatalytic degradation to occur. Thus, when the polluted atmosphere passes with more velocity over the surface, there will be fewer NOx particles degraded. Since the ow rate directly affects the residence time of the pollutant particle in the photoreactor, the higher the ow rates, the lower the amount of pollutant particles that remain on the surface of the piece long enough to be degraded, resulting in a lower degradation NOx rate (in ppmv). In an urban center, for instance, on days with stronger winds, there would be a lower rate of NOx degradation (in ppmv) in comparison with calmer days. Another nding that can be seen in Fig. 9 is that with an increase in the ow rate to 3 and 5 l/min, the increase in UV-A radiation from 25 to 40 W/m2 will not generate further degradation of the pollutant in ppmv and, consequently, in mg/m3, i.e., the degradation is constant from 25 to 40 W/m2. It is possible to misinterpret that with 25 W/m2 complete activation of all TiO2 sites (rutile) on the surface of the piece can be achieved. However, the graph does not portray this; instead, it shows that the quantity of TiO2 sites (rutile) activated with 25 W/m2 was sufcient to degrade the smaller amount of pollutant particles that remain in contact with the photocatalytic surface within the time interval. The maximum degradation that the piece can reach and the minimum radiation necessary for this to occur can be observed in Table 4, for these test conditions. Table 4 expresses the inuence of the ow rate on the degradation of NOx and shows that with an increase in the ow rate, for the tests simulated in the laboratory, there are two distinct conclusions that should be emphasized: - With an increase in the ow rate, the degradation rate of the pollutant is reduced in terms of volume (ppmv or mg/m3) of polluted atmosphere. This reduction is due to the fact that the greater the ow, the lower the amount of pollutant particles that remain on the surface long enough for the photocatalysis reactions to be able to degrade them; and

Fig. 9. Results of NOx degradation for different relative humidity and UV-A radiation values (ow rates of 1, 3 and 5 l/min).

- Considering the efciency of the pieces over a certain time interval (e.g., 1 h), with an increase in the ow rate from 1 to 3 or 5 l/min, the degradation of NOx in mg/hr/m2 is greater. This is explained by the fact that, with an increase in the ow rate from 1 to 3 or 5 l/min the volume of polluted air that passes over the piece during this time interval is three to ve times greater. Thus, the total amount of pollutant degraded within this time interval (1 h), compared to a ow of 1 l/min, is higher. For the simulations carried out in the laboratory it can be seen that there was an increase in the degradation in mg/hr/m2 with an increase in the ow rate from 1 to 5 l/min. However, it should be noted that this positive effect caused by the increase in the ow does not have a linear trend. Instead, it is assumed that this is a second-order polynomial trend. In this regard, there would be an optimal ow rate where this positive effect of increasing the ow in terms of mg/hr/m2 would be maximal. Thus, with ow rates greater than this maximum, the quantities of pollutants that would remain on the surface of the piece long enough to be degraded would be so much lower that they would begin to compromise the efciency of the piece in mg/hr/m2. With the aim of verifying the existence of an optimal ow rate, more tests were performed with ow rates of 7 l/min (1.948 cm/s) and 10 l/min (2.783 cm/s). The tests were conducted with 30% relative humidity and UV-A radiation of 40 W/m2. The results are shown in Fig. 10.

Table 4 Maximum degradation of NOx (3 and 5 l/min and variable RH). Environmental Conditions 3 3 3 5 5 5 l/mine30%RH l/mine50%RH l/mine70%RH l/mine30%RH l/mine50%RH l/mine70%RH UV-A Radiation Required (W/m2) 25 25 25 25 25 25 Maximum Degradation (ppmv) - (mg/hr/m2) 10e58.80 7e41.16 4e23.52 7e68.60 6e58.80 3e29.40

Fig. 10. Behavior of NOx degradation with an increase in the ow rate (7 and 10 l/min).

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and little air mass movement should be sought in the eld, as they provide better conditions for the high efciency of the pieces. Logically, it will be very hard to nd these three factors optimized under eld conditions. However, the results show that, in order to assess the efciency of the photocatalytic action, the specic conditions at the sites where the pieces will be applied need to be taken into consideration. Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank CNPq, the PRONEX/FAPESC Support Program for Excellence and CAPES for the nancial support and scholarships. References
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Fig. 11. Behavior of the degradation of NOx with increasing ow rate.

According to Fig. 10, with an increase in the ow rate the behavioral trend in the degradation (in mg/hr/m2) is that of a second-order polynomial, which is characterized by a maximum peak of around 10 l/min, i.e., an optimum ow rate. With this ow rate, one square meter of photocatalytic pavement would be able to degrade 98 mg/h of NOx, under these environmental conditions. In Fig. 11 a model of the behavior of NOx degradation with a ow rate increase is proposed in ppmv, mg/m3 and mg/hr/m2. The model shows that there is optimization of the NOx degradation according to the velocity of the ow, which could be relevant, for example, in environments in which there may be ventilation control available, such as in tunnels. 4. Conclusions This study evaluated, experimentally, the inuence of different environmental conditions (UV-A radiation, relative humidity and ow rate) on the efciency of photocatalytic mortar in the degradation of NOx. The experimental study found that the change in environmental conditions signicantly affects the efciency of the photocatalytic mortar. With higher levels of UV-A radiation, there are greater amounts of active TiO2 sites on the surface of the PCP, improving the performance in the degradation of the pollutant. This increase in the degradation of NOx tends, however, toward a limit determined by the activation of all TiO2 sites on the surface of the piece. After this limit, increases in UV-A radiation do not lead to increases in the pollutant degradation rate, which remains constant. On the other hand, higher percentages of relative humidity in the air lead to saturation and competition between water molecules and pollutant particles on the surface of the pieces, causing a decrease in photocatalytic activity. As in the case of relative humidity, the higher the ow rate the lower the degradation rate, since the lower the amount of pollutant particles that remain on the surface of the piece long enough for heterogeneous photocatalysis reactions to degrade them. The rate of pollutant degradation per volume (ppmv or mg/m3) of polluted atmosphere is reduced with increases in the ow rate. Increases in ow rate improve, however, the degradation of the pollutant in terms of mg/hr/m2 up to an optimal rate. From this limit onward further increases in the ow rate cause a decrease in the pollutant degradation in terms of mg/hr/m2. It can be concluded that the prevailing environmental conditions are crucial to the performance of the pieces in the degradation of NOx. Thus, for the application of such materials, locations with lower relative humidity values, high incidence of solar radiation

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