Assessing the Rheological, Mechanical, and Photocatalytic Properties of Niobium Oxide-Incorporated White Cement Pastes.

Niobium oxide (NbO) is a semiconductor that exhibits photocatalytic properties, making it potentially valuable in addressing air pollution, self-cleaning, and self-disinfection in cement-based materials (CBMs). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of different NbO concentrations on various parameters, including rheological characteristics, hydration kinetics (measured using isothermal calorimetry), compressive strength, and photocatalytic activity, specifically in the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in white Portland cement pastes. The incorporation of NbO increased the yield stress and viscosity of the pastes by up to 88.