ZnO nanostructures based innovative photocatalytic road for air purification

Atmospheric pollution is a major issue affecting environment and health. Therefore, semi-conductor-nanoparticles-based photocatalytic infrastructures appeared as promising solution to improve urban air quality due their abilities mineralize toxic organic compounds. To avoid the direct use of free nanoparticles, nanomaterials are suspected be carcinogenic, this work intends develop civil engineering materials functionalized by growth ZnO nanostructures more environmentally friendly biocompatible approach reduce pollution. By scaling-up an innovative low-cost hydrothermal synthesis, few square meters paved with tiling bitumen road were easily produced in order evaluate activity at large scale under solar lamp climatic chamber (Sense-City, 3200 m3) reflect real atmospheric purification situations. Observations provide insights into ability simultaneously remove various pollutants from car exhaust (O3, COX, NOX, VOCs) durability, well understandings weather conditions impact on degradation these relationships between trend evolution. This study also seems prove that, when exposed sunlight, roads responsible emission causes modifications Chapman cycle.