Photocatalytic and Pozzolanic Properties of Nano-SiO₂/Al₂O₃-TiO₂ Powder for Functional Mortar.

The present study intended to find a way to use TiO₂, one of the most widely used photocatalysts, as a construction material. To that end, nano-SiO₂/Al₂O₃-TiO₂ powder (NTCP) was synthesized by coating SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ support materials with TiO₂. The NTCP was anatase phase spherical particles, specific surface areas were 319 m²/g and 267 m²/g for the SiO₂-TiO₂ powder and Al₂O₃-TiO₂ 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 TiO₂. The NTCP formed smaller pores on the surface than commercial TiO₂. 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 SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ 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.