Translucent photocatalytic concrete blocks for paving: impact of service life on the textural characteristics and photocatalytic efficiency

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of translucent photocatalytic concrete blocks in a field scenario, verifying the impact of service life on the evolution of surface textural characteristics and on the NOx degradation capacity of these concretes. Measurements were taken at day 0 and, after 119 and 181 days of exposure to traffic in the experimental segment. The results showed that mixtures with glass are more vulnerable to textural changes, as there is fragility in the cement paste/glass particle interface, favoring the action of traffic in the removal/wear of the cement paste that covers glass particles. These surface changes significantly influence the capacity of these concretes to remove NOx. The longer it is in service, the lower the efficiency. However, translucent concrete with satisfactory grain-to-grain contact between particles of the granulometric arrangement allow radiation to infiltrate and propagate inside the material, ensuring greater NOx degradation capacity and greater resistance to loss of efficiency in the field, compared to photocatalytic concretes without the incorporation of recycled glass, making the technology feasible.