Influence of nano silica on the fresh, hardened and durability properties of selfcleaning white Portland cement mortars

Abstract

In this study, nano titanium dioxide and nano silica have been added in white Portland cement mortars. The dosage of nano-TiO2 was fixed to 3% while the dosage of nano-SiO2 was varied from 0%-3%. Water/binder ratio was 0.45% and binder/sand ratio was 1:3. The workability, water absorption, compressive and flexural strengths of mortars was measured. The permeability of mortars was measured using Nordest test and the carbonation resistance was measured in a carbonation chamber. The degradation of rhodamine B dye on the surface of mortars was measured after exposure of the white mortars to the ultraviolet light. Addition of nano-SiO2 increased the compressive and flexural strengths of mortars, reduced the water absorption of mortars and resisted the penetration of chloride ions. The self-cleaning of the white mortars was unaffected by the addition of nano-SiO2 particles.