PSI - Issue 74

Maciej Gruszczyński et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 74 (2025) 25 – 32 Maciej Gruszczyński / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2025) 000–000

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of cement-based composite modified with the addition of activate carbon. The found concentrations (especially NO 3 -) are an order of magnitude higher in the case of samples of the mortar modified with activated carbon – compared to the reference mortar. This efficiency is proportional to the surface modulus of the tested elements and the development of the sample surface. 4. Conclusions The conducted study of the literature on the subject and the conducted research allow for the formulation of the following general conclusions: 1. Strongly alkaline hydrated cement slurry phases (C -S-H and Ca(OH) 2 ) can adsorb large amounts of NO x over a wide temperature spectrum. 2. Carbonation, as a result of the conversion of strongly alkaline Ca hydrates to calcium carbonate, causes that the possibility of NO x adsorption by the cement-based composite is significantly reduced. 3. The conducted research program has shown that the use of a small amount (4% by mass) of the addition of activated carbon causes an increase in NO x adsorption by the cement-based composite. This increase is an order of magnitude in relation to the reference mortar, despite its carbonation. 4. The research program proved that the amount of NO x adsorption by mortars with the addition of activated carbon strongly depends on their surface modulus and surface development. General conclusion: The presented technology – using the addition of activated carbon for the production of cement-based composites – results in an increase in NO x adsorption from the surrounding atmosphere and thus contributes to the improvement of air quality and the fight against smog. For this purpose, the authors' team is planning further research with the use of a prototype sampler to assess the NO x adsorption properties by samples of cement-based composites with the addition of activated carbon under practical conditions i.e. in a heavily loaded road tunnel. References Statistics Poland Environment 2018 ; Warsaw, 2019. Statistics Poland Environment 2019 ; Warsaw, 2020. Statistics Poland Environment 2020 ; Warsaw, 2021. Ramakrishnan, G.; Orlov, A. Development of novel inexpensive adsorbents from waste concrete to mitigate NO x emissions. Build. Environ. 2014, 72 , 28–33. Statistics Poland The State of The Environment in Poland ; Warsaw, 2018. Health aspects of air pollution with particulate matter, ozone and nitrogen dioxide. In Proceedings of the Report on a WHO Wo rking Group Meeting; Health Documentation Service WHO Regional Office for Europe: Bonn, 2003. Latza, U.; Gerdes, S.; Baur, X. Effects of nitrogen dioxide on human health: Systematic review of experimental and epidemiological studies conducted between 2002 and 2006. Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health 2009, 212 , 271–287. Baciak, M.; Warmiński, K.; Bęś, A. The effect of selected gaseous air pollutants on woody plants. For. Res. Pap. 2018, 76 , 401–409. Muneer, S.; Kim, T.H.; Choi, B.C.; Lee, B.S.; Lee, J.H. Effect of CO, NO x and SO 2 on ROS production, photosynthesis and ascorbate glutathione pathway to induce Fragaria×annasa as a hyperaccumulator. Redox Biol. 2014, 2 , 91–98. Lawrence, A.J.; Masih, A.; Taneja, A. Indoor/outdoor relationships of carbonmonoxide and oxides of nitrogen in domestic homes with roadside, urban and rural locations in a central Indian region. Indoor Air 2005, 15 , 76–82. Wilkins, C.K.; Clausen, P.A.; Wolkoff, P.; Larsen, S.T.; Hammer, M.; Larsen, K.; Larsen, V.; Nielsen, G.D. Formation of stron g airways irritants in mixtures of isoprene/ozone and isoprene/ozone/nitrogen dioxide. Env. Heal. Perspect 2001, 109 , 937–941. Fiore, A.; Marano, G.C.; Monaco, P.; Morbi, A. Preliminary experimental study on the effects of surface-applied photocatalytic products on the durability of reinforced concrete. Constr. Build. Mater. 2013, 48 , 137–143. Giosuè, C.; Pierpaoli, M.; Mobili, A.; Ruello, M.L.; Tittarelli, F. Multifunctional Lightweight Mortars for Indoor Applications to Improve Comfort and Health of Occupants: Thermal Properties and Photocatalytic Efficiency. Front. Mater. 2020, 7 , 1–10. Aiswarya, S.; Moses, M.T.; Thomas, L.B.; Scaria, J.; Dev, G. V. Prospective benefits of using activated carbon in cement composites- An overview. Int. J. Adv. Res. Eng. Technol. 2019, 10 , 289–296. Guo, M.Z.; Poon, C.S. Superior photocatalytic NO x removal of cementitious materials prepared with white cement over ordinary Portland cement