Removal of graffiti paint from construction materials coated with TiO-based photocatalysts.

Graffiti on construction materials has significant social and economic impacts, especially on artistic and historical artefacts. Anti-graffiti protective coatings are used to generate low surface energies that limit graffiti adhesion to the surface, thereby reducing surface damage and facilitating removal. The anti-graffiti properties of three commercial TiO-based coatings were tested under outdoor exposure conditions using four colours of graffiti paint (red, blue, black, and white).

Face Mask Wastes as Cementitious Materials: A Possible Solution to a Big Concern.

After more than two years wearing surgical masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, used masks have become a significant risk for ecosystems, as they are producing wastes in huge amounts. They are a potential source of disturbance by themselves and as microplastic contamination in the water system. As 5500 tons of face masks are estimated to be used each year, there is an urgent need to manage them according to the circular economy principles and avoid their inadequate disposal.

New Holistic Conceptual Framework for the Assessment of the Performance of Photocatalytic Pavement.

Despite serious health and environmental burdens associated with air pollution by NO, the emission ceilings have been systematically exceeded in big European cities for several years. Photocatalytic technology can be an efficient solution for the removal of chemical air pollutants. Because diesel engine exhaust is the main source of NO emissions, the application of a photocatalyst onto road pavement appears to be an effective NO abatement method due to the large surface area, proximity to the emission source, and relatively good solar irradiance.

In situ evaluation of the NO removal efficiency of photocatalytic pavements: statistical analysis of the relevance of exposure time and environmental variables.

In the recent past, the NO removal efficiency of photocatalytic materials has been subject of many studies with promising results. However, many of these studies involve laboratory tests carried out under standardized climatic exposure conditions, often not representative of the real-world environment. With the aim to bridge this gap, selected photocatalytic materials have been applied to different substrates in outdoor demonstrator platforms at pilot scale as part of the project LIFE-PHOTOSCALING.