Properties of photocatalytic render cement based in globalization age

Abstract

Today´s cities and the process of urbanization have been associated with significant, economic and social environmental transformations. So, rapid, unplanned or inadequately managed urban expansion leads to rapid sprawl, pollution, and environmental degradation, together with unsustainable production, consumption, and growth patterns. Currently, over half of the world’s population (54%) live in urban ecosystems. Around 90% of the urban population in the EU is exposed to concentrations of air pollutants that WHO considers harmful to health. This asseveration is demonstrated by the latest study on air quality in Europe that has published the EEA. In the other hand, the primary energy use in the built environment accounts for about 40% of total EU energy consumption. Therefore there is a high energy saving potential by minimizing the energy demand for space heating and cooling. In this context, the photocatalysis is also seen as effective as a passive and permanent tool against atmospheric pollution. The use of a photocatalytic render cement based has a high interest in the design of the envelope, due to its contribution to decreasing energy demand by improving comfort in open spaces due to its reflectance. In addition, photocatalysis collaborates to reduce the heat island effect by its self-cleaning and depolluting properties, even in the control of air pollution by high levels of pollens, as shown by the results obtained by Sapiña et al. This paper presents results in an analysis of reflectance, depolluting and self-cleaning properties of photocatalytic cement based render as architectural solution adopted.