TX Active technology uses a photocatalyzer in concrete construction materials that accelerates the natural process of impurities decomposition. Only the sunlight is needed for activation of this process (UV-A radiation). Nanometric titanium dioxide (TiO2) is used as the photocatalyzer. Foundations of this technology provide also the requirements for the final construction materials needed to obtain the international TX Active trademark - reserved for the photo-catalytically active materials that passed the certification process.

Picture 1. Logo of TX Active technology

Cement with trade name "TioCem" is used for the production of the photo-catalytically active concrete construction materials. This cement meets all requirements of the TX Active technology and is used in the following products: concrete bricks, roofing tiles, elevation panels, acoustic screens, etc. Because the TioCem cement is present in the concrete, such products have the specific properties. Their surfaces can efficiently reduce the impurities contained in the air, e.g. nitrous oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SO2), carbon oxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC, such as benzene, toluene, formaldehydes) and many others. There is the significant fact that the purification process is long lasting and renewable during the whole "life" of the concrete product, because the photocatalyzer responsible for this property is not consumed during the purification process.

Picture 2. Diagram of nitrous oxides (NOx) reduction process through the photo-catalytically active surfaces of the concrete that contains the TioCem cement.

Efficiency of the reduction of nitrous oxides (NOx) by the specific product that uses TioCem cement is examined according to UNI 11247:2007 standard. Aside from the gas impurities reduction, the products based on the TioCem cement have also the self-cleaning properties. They allow to maintain the fresh (like new) look of the product for a long period of time, because the photocatalyzer can easily oxidize the impurities collected on the concrete element, such as greases, oils, bird droppings, etc.

Picture 3. High hygroscopic properties of the nanocrystalic titanium dioxide (TiO2) - self-cleaning of the concrete surface that contains TioCem cement.

On the vertical concrete surfaces, an additional self-cleaning effect is visible resulted from the reduction of the photocatalyzer humidification angle that decreases almost to zero. Thanks to this, the rain drops create thin water film on the concrete surface that facilitates reduction of impurities.

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