Effect of Photocatalyst on Rheological Behavior and NO Degradation Capacity of Asphalt Binder

Abstract

To reduce vehicle exhaust gas pollution in transport-intensive roadways and tunnels, six types of photocatalytic asphalt binders were designed using graphite-phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and nanoscale titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) particles. In this paper, the rheological behaviors and fatigue life of the nano-TiO2-modified asphalt binder (TiO2-MA) and g-C3N4-modified asphalt binder (C3N4-MA) were investigated. NO degradation capacity of six types of photocatalytic asphalt binders was characterized under visible light conditions. The results showed that TiO2-MA had more excellent rheological behaviors and rutting resistance than C3N4-MA. In addition, 4 wt% nano-TiO2 markedly improved the rheological behaviors and rutting resistance of MA compared to other dosages. TiO2-MA exhibited higher fatigue resistance. The fatigue life of TiO2-MA with 4 wt% nano-TiO2 was increased to 234.1% at 2.5% strain and 242.5% at 5% strain, respectively, compared to base asphalt binder (BA). C3N4-MA had better NO degradation capacity than TiO2-MA. Meanwhile, the NO degradation efficiency of C3N4-MA reached 17.8% with 5 wt% g-C3N4.