An efficient technology for producing light concrete has been proposed.

Lightweight concrete is gaining popularity in construction as a modern decorative material that incorporates photoluminescent pigment. During the day, it absorbs solar energy, which it then transforms into light at night. This type of concrete provides unique illumination for structures and enhances design possibilities. It can be used for facade cladding, garden landscaping, paving sidewalks, and even interior design. Despite its aesthetic appeal, it must also be durable and resistant to external factors. Researchers at Perm Polytechnic University have identified the most effective method for integrating photoluminescent pigment into the material's composition. This technology ensures long-lasting and intense light emission while maintaining the material's functional characteristics without increasing production costs.

2024-12-24 10:00:34https://naked-science.ru/article/column/tehnologiya-polucheniya-l

The article is published in the journal "Modern Technologies in Construction: Theory and Practice." The research was conducted as part of the strategic academic leadership program "Priority 2030."

Lumobeton is the result of an innovative combination of traditional components and modern additives. Its effectiveness and quality depend on the selection of the composition and the conditions for applying the photoluminescent pigment, as well as on how it is introduced into the concrete mix. In practice, additives often reduce the physical and mechanical properties of concrete, failing to provide stable and high luminescence intensity. Additionally, the introduction of expensive components leads to increased production costs.

Scientists from Perm Polytechnic have proposed a method for volumetric incorporation of the pigment into the structure of glass—“luminescent powder in glass”—which is subsequently used as a filler in the concrete mix.

“To create the composite ‘luminescent powder in glass,’ crushed tempered glass is taken as a base and mixed with luminescent powder in a ratio of 30:70. The resulting mixture is sintered in a furnace, cooled, and ground to a size of five millimeters. This method of volumetric incorporation of the pigment into the glass structure and the subsequent addition of the resulting granules to the concrete mix is the most optimal for achieving stable decorative properties of photoluminescent concretes over time,” explains Stepan Leontiev, an associate professor at the Department of Construction Engineering and Materials Science at PNIU, candidate of technical sciences.

The researchers at Perm Polytechnic compared the developed technology with analogs and tested the durability of the photoluminescent pigment against external factors, including weather conditions and mechanical impacts, according to GOST standards. Unlike surface coatings, its unique volumetric incorporation into the glass structure provides a long-lasting luminescence effect for the products. Over time, the pigment does not wear out, wash out, or fade.

Polytechnic specialists note that to reduce the consumption of expensive components in the mix, the luminescent element can be introduced only into the surface layer of the product, while the main volume of the concrete will follow the standard recipe. Furthermore, the surface layer can be manufactured in various configurations and orientations.

The technology proposed by the scientists at Perm Polytechnic for creating lumobeton allows for achieving more durable and intense light emission, which is maintained even after multiple cycles of pigment light saturation without degrading the characteristics of the concrete or increasing production costs.