The photocatalytic activity of titania nano/microparticles (nT and mT) and zinc oxide microparticles (mZ) as well as the rheological behaviour of cement pastes with the addition of those particles were evaluated applying design of experiments (DoE). Such additives ranged from 0 to 1.2wt.% in the cement paste, while the water/cement ratio (0.45) and superplasticiser (0.45 wt.%) remained invariable. Thus, pure blends and binary or ternary mixtures were studied.

 

Nano-TiO2 is the strongest influent factor to rheology

 

Pure blends containing nT or mT and ternary mixtures 0.67mT:0.17nT:0.17mZ reached the best and comparable performances in terms of photocatalytic activity. The rheological parameters (plastic viscosity and yield stress) values changed along time in distinct levels described by a quadratic model. Samples with nT became less fluid, and the yield stress was the main rheological parameter affected. The kinetics of hydration was not significantly affected by additions up to 120min testing, but showed noticeable distinctions for longer periods: mZ (delayed) and nT (shortened), while mT required about the same time to reach the maximum exothermic peak than reference paste.