Multifunctional photocatalytic coatings for construction materials

Abstract Application of multifunctional coatings to urban infrastructures opens the possibility to provide additional properties to existing or new buildings, roads, streets, pavements, roofing, etc. without the necessity to increment the economic budget. Mechanical resistance, anticorrosion, self-cleaning, biocide behavior, or depolluting are among demanded functionalities. Specifically, photocatalytic coatings help to mitigate the negative effects of urban pollution, favoring its abatement. In this chapter the formulation of new photocatalysts with wider range of radiation harvesting by doping with metals or nonmetals, composites or mixtures to increase interaction with substrates and promoting pollutants adsorption has been discussed. Different techniques for coating application; main characterization methodologies to determine properties of substrate, photocatalyst and coated thin film; and demonstration of photodegradation activity have been examined, to conclude with the challenges and future perspectives.