Breaking Down

Environmental remediation can benefit from the use of nanotechnology. At the forefront of this is the use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. These function as catalysts which assist in the breakdown of larger or more reactive molecules into smaller or less reactive ones. For example, nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds in exhaust fumes can be degraded into more benign compounds such as nitrates, small carbon containing compounds and water; all of which are more easily absorbed into the environment.

Examples of this can be already be found in commercial products: Pilkington Glass have coated the surfaces of their glass with titanium dioxide nanoparticles to break down dirt. The process is started by sunlight and is completed by rainwater, which washes the residue off the surface of the glass the process and catalyses the break down of dirt. The rain is then able to easily wash it off.

New composite concretes incorporating titanium dioxide nanoparticles have been manufactured by Italcementi and used in a number of building projects, such as those pictured above. These materials break down atmospheric pollutants and have the added benefit of staying clean, seen in the spotless white buildings pictured above.

In a similar way, the new Ecopaint from Millenium Chemicals incorporates titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and can be used to coat building exteriors, fences etc to break down atmospheric pollutants.