Highways – reduction of pollutants
Study of the effectiveness of atmospheric pollutant abatement of photocatalytic materials in favor of the protection of air quality on motorways
Funding: Autostrade per l'Italia SpA
Period: July 2021 – February 2023
Total project budget:-
CNR IIA Total Budget:-
Scientific Responsible: Valeio Paolini

Abstract of the project

The study is aimed at evaluating the potential of photocatalytic materials on air quality in motorways, through the analysis of case studies in the national and European context and through laboratory and field tests to evaluate their abatement effectiveness.

Technical-scientific consultancy will be provided to evaluate the cases of use at European level of the application of photocatalytic materials and their impacts on air quality. The effect of aging on the efficiency of pollutant adsorption will be evaluated. The materials will therefore be tested in laboratory environments with a controlled concentration of pollutants, and the effectiveness of abatement will be evaluated. The variation of this effectiveness will then be evaluated in different aging conditions of the material.
A monitoring campaign will be carried out for the in situ evaluation of the air quality before and after the application of the photocatalytic materials. Finally, the effectiveness of atmospheric pollutant abatement of photocatalytic materials will be evaluated through mathematical models of pollutant dispersion.
The general objective of the study is to evaluate the potential efficacy at national level of photocatalytic materials on air quality in motorways, updating the study carried out by the University of the Marche "Experimental application of photocatalytic mortars and coatings on a section of the A14 motorway – July 2013" provided by the Client.
CNR-IIA

Valerio Paolini
Francesco Petracchini
Ettore Guerriero
Mark Tower
Patrick Tratzi
Laura Tomassetti
Matthias Perilli
Julius Esposito