Researchers claim coating can eliminate some air pollutants

The nanoparticle coatings are the outcome of the Ecofotomat project, which involved the university and the L’Urederra R+D Centre, plus construction company Obras y Servicios TEX.

Researcher Javier Goicoechea said the coatings have special nanoparticles with a photocatalytic effect.

‘The nanoparticles interact with the light, thus triggering a series of chemical reactions that clean the air and break down the dirt,’ he said.

According to a statement, concrete was used as the basic construction material. L’Urederra manufactured the nanoparticles and adapted them so that they could be incorporated into the coatings, while TEX provided the concrete and the technical specifications on the building material.

‘There are ceramics that have these types of coatings, but here we are working with concrete and with liquid solutions, because we want the final coating to resemble a paint as much as possible: one that can be applied on site, has a cost that is not too high, and is sufficiently tough to withstand the elements,’ said Goicoechea.