Multi-layered cement compositions containing photocatalyst particles and method for creating multi-layered cement compositions containing photocatalyst particles

Abstract

A concrete slab construction is provided for use in both horizontal and vertical structures. The slab construction includes two layers. The first layer of concrete is a base layer comprised of traditional concrete materials. In addition, the concrete slab construction includes a second exterior layer of concrete which contains photocatalyst particles. Preferred photocatalytic materials include titanium dioxide in the anatase form. The concrete slab construction provides for reduction of green house gases and reduction in organic stains.

1 . A concrete construction comprising:
 a subgrade or formwork for supporting a layer of poured concrete; and   a slab of concrete poured upon said subgrade or formwork forming an exposed concrete surface, said slab of concrete having an interior layer adjacent to said subgrade and an exterior layer adjacent to said exposed concrete surface, said exterior layer of said concrete having a greater amount of photocatalyst, from the group consisting of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) or one of its precursors, tungsten oxide (WO 3 ), calcium titanate or strontium titanate (SrTiO 3 ), and combinations thereof, than said interior layer of said concrete.   
     
     
         2 . The concrete construction of  claim 1  wherein said photocatalyst is titanium dioxide having at least 5% of the anatase structure. 
     
     
         3 . The concrete construction of  claim 1  wherein said photocatalyst is titanium dioxide having at least 25% of the anatase structure. 
     
     
         4 . The concrete construction of  claim 1  wherein said exterior layer of said concrete has 0.01% or greater by weight of titanium dioxide having at least 5% of the anatase structure. 
     
     
         5 . The concrete construction of  claim 1  wherein said exterior layer of said concrete has 0.1% or greater weight of titanium dioxide having at least 50% of the anatase structure. 
     
     
         6 . A method of producing a concrete slab comprising the steps of:
 (a) preparing a subgrade or formwork for concrete placement;   (b) pouring a first layer of concrete upon the subgrade or within the formwork;   (c) pouring a second layer of concrete (having a greater amount of photocatalyst, from the group consisting of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) or one of its precursors, tungsten oxide (WO 3 ), calcium titanate or strontium titanate (SrTiO 3 ), and combinations thereof than the first layer of concrete) upon the first layer of concrete to create a slab of concrete having an interior layer adjacent to said subgrade and an exterior layer including an exposed surface wherein said exterior layer of said concrete has a greater amount of photocatalyst, from the group consisting of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) or one of its precursors, tungsten oxide (WO 3 ), calcium titanate or strontium titanate (SrTiO 3 ), and combinations thereof, than said interior layer of the concrete slab; and   (d) floating or screeding the exposed concrete surface while it is in a plastic state utilizing bull floats or screeds so that the exposed concrete surface is consolidated and uniform.   
     
     
         7 . The method of producing a concrete slab of  claim 6  further comprising the steps of:
 (e) preparing a first concrete mixture for use in pouring the first layer of concrete; 
 (f) preparing a second concrete mixture for use in pouring the second layer of concrete; and 
 (g) adding titanium dioxide having at least 5% of the anatase structure to second concrete mixture so that the second concrete mixture has a greater amount of titanium dioxide having at least 5% of the anatase structure than the first concrete mixture. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of producing a concrete slab of  claim 6  further comprising the steps of:
 (e) preparing a first concrete mixture for use in pouring the first layer of concrete; 
 (f) preparing a second concrete mixture for use in pouring the second layer of concrete; 
 (g) adding titanium dioxide having at least 5% of the anatase structure to the second concrete mixture so that the second concrete mixture has a greater amount of titanium dioxide having at least 5% of the anatase structure than the first concrete mixture; and 
 (h) adding a color pigment to the second concrete mixture to embellish the color of the second layer of concrete. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of producing a concrete slab of  claim 6  wherein the step of pouring a second layer of concrete (having a greater amount of titanium dioxide having at least 5% of the anatase structure than the first layer of concrete) upon the first layer of concrete is done prior to the first layer of concrete fully curing. 
     
     
         10 . The method of producing a concrete slab of  claim 6  wherein said photocatalyst is titanium dioxide having at least 25% of the anatase structure. 
     
     
         11 . The method of producing a concrete slab of  claim 6  wherein said photocatalyst is titanium dioxide having at least 50% of the anatase structure. 
     
     
         12 . The method of producing a concrete slab of  claim 6  wherein said exterior layer of said concrete has 0.01% or greater by weight of titanium dioxide having at least 5% of the anatase structure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of producing a concrete slab of  claim 6  wherein said exterior layer of said concrete has 0.1% or greater weight of titanium dioxide having at least 50% of the anatase structure. 
     
     
         14 . A method of producing a concrete structure comprising the steps of:
 (a) preparing a subgrade or formwork for concrete placement;   (b) pouring a layer of concrete upon the subgrade or within the formwork to create an exposed concrete surface;   (c) floating or screeding or troweling the exposed concrete surface while it is in a plastic state utilizing bull floats, screeds or trowels;   (d) broadcasting a photocatalyst, from the group consisting of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) or one of its precursors, tungsten oxide (WO 3 ), calcium titanate or strontium titanate (SrTiO 3 ), and combinations thereof, upon the floated, screed or troweled exposed concrete surface to create a slab of concrete having an interior layer adjacent to said subgrade and an exterior layer including an exposed surface wherein said exterior layer of said concrete has a greater amount of photocatalyst, from the group consisting of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) or one of its precursors, tungsten oxide (WO 3 ), calcium titanate or strontium titanate (SrTiO 3 ), and combinations thereof, than said interior layer of the concrete slab; and   (e) floating or screeding the exposed concrete surface utilizing bull floats or screeds so that the exposed concrete surface is consolidated and uniform.   
     
     
         15 . The method of producing a concrete slab of  claim 14  wherein said photocatalyst is titanium dioxide having at least 25% of the anatase structure. 
     
     
         16 . The method of producing a concrete slab of  claim 14  wherein said photocatalyst is titanium dioxide having at least 50% of the anatase structure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of producing a concrete slab of  claim 14  wherein said exterior layer of said concrete has 0.01% or greater by weight of titanium dioxide having at least 5% of the anatase structure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of producing a concrete slab of  claim 14  wherein said exterior layer of said concrete has 0.1% or greater weight of titanium dioxide having at least 50% of the anatase structure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of producing a concrete slab of  claim 14  further comprising the step of:
 (f) broadcasting a colorant upon exposed concrete surface while the concrete is still in a plastic state to provide color embellishment to the exposed concrete surface.