ITA
Anti-NOX textile facade enables nitrogen oxide reduction

The researchers achieved the reduction of harmful nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) by means of an innovative facade coating. The coating acts as a catalyst and binds the harmful nitrogen oxides from the city air directly to the facade surface under UV light. Oxidation processes convert the pollutants into small quantities of harmless salts.
When it rains, rainfall removes the salt residues from the facade surface. The water can seep away or be used as fertilizer for plants. In the project, samples are taken in order to scientifically prove the environmental compatibility.
Furthermore, the building envelope can reduce the solar cooling load of buildings in summer verifiably by up to 78%. The new materials are 100% recyclable.
The project is accompanied by the Institute of Textile Technology of RWTH Aachen University (ITA).