Illuminating Construction Materials

Researchers from the University of São Paulo's Physics Institute and the University of Leuven unveil a groundbreaking luminescent material designed to detect concrete deterioration under ultraviolet (UV) light. This innovation offers a fast, cost-effective, on-site solution for analyzing concrete structures, especially for dam construction.

The material exhibits orange-to-red luminescence by leveraging a catalyst based on layered double hydroxide (LDH) or anionic clay infused with trivalent europium (Eu3+). In laboratory tests, exposure to UV light resulted in a color shift corresponding to the absorbed carbonate content, enabling precise detection of concrete degradation.

The innovative luminescent material provides a fast, on-site analysis of concrete structures, aiding in detecting deterioration and streamlining maintenance processes. This can contribute to significant cost and carbon reduction benefits for projects in the construction industry.

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