Performance Evaluation of Molecular Sieve-Enhanced Concrete for Air Pollutant Mitigation

Abstract

Air pollution in large urban areas has become a burning environmental and human health problem requiring a new and interesting approach to reduction, thecorpus of which is solved in a natural manner and built environmentally friendly. This paper gives the design and overall performance analysis of an anti-pollution pervious concrete using zeolite aggregates, zeolite powder, a series of molecular-sieve-based adsorbents, such as activated alumina, activated carbon, silica gel, and graphite flakes, cellulose-acetate fibers, and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) as a photocatalytic agent. The key aim was to increase pollutant adsorption and degradation capacity and maintain good mechanical strength, permeability and durability to apply in practice to infrastructure. A quantitative and comparative approach of experimental investigations was conducted where the control and modified concrete mixes were evaluated. Compressive strength, flexural strength, porosity, water absorption, sorptiveness, permeability, drainage capacity, corrosion resistance, electrical resistivity, and a simulated smoke-exposure test were among the tests done as part of the macro-scale assessment. The microstructural and chemical characterisation of the samples was conducted with the help of X-ray diffusion (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-Ray analysis (SEM-EDS), which enabled a comprehensive study of the phase distribution and dispersion, pore structure, and the interactions of the additives and the pollutant. It was shown that the modified concrete attained a 20 -25 per cent enhancement in compressive strength of over 40 Mpa, vastly diminished sorptivity, a greater resistance to corrosion, and possessed sufficient permeability to be applied permeably. Exposure to simulated pollutants proved high adsorption capacity, retention capacity and microstructural analysis confirmed the development of secondary hydration products and stable dispersion of functional additives thus boosting combined adsorption and photocatalysis reaction. On the balance, the created anti-pollution pervious concrete met the performance of multifunction, both in structural integrity and in effective air-pollution suppression. The results develop a scientifically tested and practically feasible model of sustainable urban infrastructure, which therefore will be one of the factors of air quality improvement and, which, by its objectives, correspond to the goals of sustainable development in the world.