Opportunities regarding the potential use of the self-cleaning concept within urban contemporary architecture in Romania

¹ N.I.R.D. URBAN-INCERC, Cluj-Napoca Branch, Romania
² Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Civil Engineering Faculty, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
³ N.I.R.D. URBAN-INCERC, Timişoara Branch, Romania

^* Corresponding author: elvira.grebenisan@incerc-cluj.ro

Abstract

Contemporary urban architecture faces two important issues: degradation of buildings, caused by exposure to various environmental factors (air and water pollution, mainly generated by the fuels combustion used for transport and heating) and also the costs for repair, cleaning and maintenance of the buildings facades. Regarding the last mentioned aspects, recent research led to development of materials with self-cleaning potential and consequently pollution reduction. Self-cleaning concrete represents a state-of-the-art material with photocatalytic properties generated by the addition in its composition of nanomaterials like TiO₂. Already known for its intrinsic photocatalytic character, TiO₂ has the ability to catalyse the decomposition of organic substances like grease and dirt, facilitating their quick removal only by rainwater action. Therefore, a building façade made of TiO₂-SiO₂-containing material develops substantial savings regarding maintenance costs, water consumption and less detergents contamination due to its intrinsic super hydrophilic effect of the surface in the presence of UV radiation, leading to easy dirt removal when water reaches it. The aim of present paper is presenting the latest stage of worldwide research regarding the obtaining of self-cleaning concrete and also the possibility of adapting the concept to the actual Romanian architecture needs, as a sustainable solution for urban pollution reduction.