Description
Pavimentos de Tudela (PVT) has developed a range of ecological pavements. The main product devolved by PVT is ecoGranic, a new generation of ecological pavement, based on air purifying. ecoGranic combats pollution through photocatalysis, a natural oxidation process similar to plant photosynthesis. PVT is currently working on another concrete product including a new kind of catalyst that improves the properties of the pavement. This material is based on the addition of metal clusters, mainly gold nano-clusters. Gold clusters have demonstrated a great activity in purifying procedures, including water treatments or air cleaning systems. They have proved to be a very useful catalyst in the reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), producing carbon dioxide. Gold clusters are activated by the presence of oxygen and don’t need any solar radiation or other kind of light source like the photocatalyst used frequently. The resulting production line is expected to have a recycling system in order to reduce the wastes produced in the process, the atmospheric emissions and the consumption of natural raw materials.
Summary of project results
In this project it has been developed a concrete prefabricated, that has shown a great efficiency in the degradation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) without light radiation. This fact means a great innovation against traditional photocatalytic pavements, as long as it can be used in indoor and outdor applications, during 24 hours a day and in countries with low solar radiation index. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that the product has a potencial bactericide effect. This development has been achieved through the synthesis of a new catalyst based on metallic clusters deposited on inorganic nano-oxides. Two patents have been registered in order to protect the outcomes reached. The first one describes the prefabricated developed in the projects and has been published in Europe. The second one is in process of publication, and covers the synthesis procedure of the new catalyst. New developments have been properly spread in fairs, congress web sites and social networks.
Summary of bilateral results