This paper presents the preparation of a porous (Mg, Ca) silicate structure, which could be employed as sorbent filter media. The sorbents have been prepared using sodium silicate precipitated with various ratios of magnesium and calcium salts. The sorbents obtained were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nitrogen physisorption isotherm. Further, the applicability and performance of the sorbent impregnate with potassium hydroxide for removal of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) has been demonstrated. From the isotherms, specific surface area, pore diameter and volume of pores were estimated. Results show that the chemical composition and textural properties of the resultant sorbents were highly dependent on Mg/Ca molar ratio. It was found that sorbents made with 68 mol% Mg and 32 mol% Ca (PSS-MgCa-68/32); and 75 mol% Mg and 25 mol% Ca (PSS-MgCa-75/25) exhibited even higher specific surface area and pore volume than the sorbents containing a single metal. The Mg/Ca-silica sorbents obtained contains interconnected bimodal porosity with large portions being mesopores of varied sizes. The pore size distribution (PSD) results further indicate that PSS-MgCa-68/32 sorbent exhibits wide PSD of interconnected pores in the size range of 1 to 32 nm while PSS-MgCa-50/50 and PSS-MgCa-75/25 exhibits narrow PSD of 1 to 5 nm. Using SO₂ as model contaminate gas, it was shown that the dynamic adsorption performance of the PSS-MgCa-sorbents impregnated with 8 wt% KOH exhibits SO₂ uptake, with impregnated PSS-MgCa-68/32 showing better performance. This shows that the materials prepared can be used as adsorbent for gas filtration.

A new MgCa–silica material with bimodal pore size is impregnated with KMnO₄ for dynamic adsorption of H₂S. The MgCa–silica was synthesized using sodium silicate and calcium and magnesium salts as precipitating agents. The KMnO₄ impregnation onto MgCa–silica was obtained through either direct addition into MgCa–silica wet coagulum or doping of dried MgCa–silica pellets into KMnO₄ solution. These chemisorbents were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, spectrophotometer, microscopy and dynamic H₂S adsorption test setup similar to ASHRAE standard I45.I. The results show that impregnation route and KMnO₄ wt% cause a reduction of surface area and total pore volume. The decrease in pore volume was slightly more in chemisorbents obtained via post doping compared to direct impregnation. Regardless of pore volume reduction the pore size range, 1–32 nm, was as in the parent MgCa–silica with micro and meso-pore diameter centered at 1.4 and 5.4 nm respectively. Thus obtained chemisorbents have their pore entrances neither blocked nor shifted. The MgCa–silica/KMnO₄ chemisorbents exhibits good H₂S uptake performance. The chemisorbent with 11.4 wt% KMnO₄ and obtained via direct impregnation possesses the highest uptake capacity. The lowest capacity was observed for chemisorbent with 8 wt% KMnO₄ and made by direct impregnation. The variations in uptake capacity are likely due to impregnation route, the KMnO₄ content and its location in the pore system. The results suggest that the MgCa–silica/KMnO₄chemisorbents can remove H₂S from indoor air at room temperature.

Three synthesis routes are presented here that leads to carbon–silica composites. These were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, by thermogravimetric analysis and by dynamic toluene adsorption test similar to Ashrae standard I45.1. The carbon–silica composites possess high microporosity and mesoporosity as well as large surface areas. Furthermore, the control of the microporosity as well as pore size distribution is possible because they depend on the amount of carbon used and of the synthesis route. Following routes I and III a wide micro-mesoporous pore size (1–32 nm) was obtained where as by route II narrow micro-mesoporous pore size (1–4 nm) was observed. In addition, pore diameters center in the range of 1.13–1.17 nm was observed when carbon content was 32 or 45 wt%. The dynamic adsorption of toluene was evaluated for carbon–silica composites obtained by three preparation routes at two different carbon contents, 32 and 45 wt%. The results showed that a composite with 45 wt% carbon content and obtained via preparation route I gave the highest toluene adsorption capacity (27.6 wt% relative to carbon content). The large uptake capacity of this composite was attributed to the presence of high microporosity volume and a wide (1–32 nm) bimodal pore system consisting of extensive mesopore channels (2–32 nm) as well as large surface area. These capacity values of carbon–silica composites are by weight relative to carbon content and are competitive to, results obtained for commercial coconut activated carbon (31.1 wt%) and significantly better than a commercial alumina-carbon composite(9.5 wt%) at 0% efficiency.

Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) provide unprecedented opportunities for obtaining excellent thermal insulation with light and slender constructions. This article discusses the performance over time of VIPs, and the possibilities to overcome the current problems related to fragility and limited durability. Aerogels are together with fumed silica among the most competitive core materials for VIP's. The use of classical aerogels, as produced in autoclaves is, however, limited due to the high production costs. The fumed silica on the other hand requires vacuum levels that are difficult to maintain with the currently available vacuum envelopes. A material with comparatively smaller pores will on the other hand allow obtaining low thermal conductivity at higher pressure (less vacuum) and will therefore reduce the pressure difference over the envelope. There is therefore much to be gained by reducing the pore size. New cost and performance efficient silica aerogels offers opportunities to enhance the properties of the panels by customizing the pore structure and pore size distribution. Building technologies and how the panels are applied in a manner that improves the structural, thermal and hygroscopic performances of vacuum insulated constructions have been studied and are discussed.

The paper provides a review of the synthesis and adsorptive properties of a novel class of precipitated silica materials. To enhance or tailor the adsorption efficiency, various trapping chemicals (potassium hydroxide, potassium permanganate) or co-adsorbents (coconut activated carbon) are incorporated in the structure of the substrate material. Further, it discusses the applicability and performance over time of the material as adsorbents for removal of hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide and toluene contaminants which are potentially hazardous to sensitive equipment and more importantly, human health. Chemical substances in the air are an unavoidable by-product of most human endeavours within industry and transportation. The need for adsorbents to combat Airborne Molecular Contamination (AMC) follows from the continued intensification of the global environmental movement as well as the rapid industrialisation of developing countries. The removal performance of modified precipitated silica adsorbent shows that the new adsorbent can be tailored to remove low concentrations of sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and toluene contaminants at indoor environment conditions. The results further shows that the new precipitated silica adsorbent impregnated with 8 wt% KOH shows better performance than commercial alumina impregnated with 8 wt% KMnO₄.The adsorbent material may find interesting and efficient uses as passive sinks for pollutants incorporated into more traditional building products such as acoustic baffles or as ingredients in various coatings. The filter material is environmentally friendly and consists of benign chemicals that are abundant worldwide. Performance over time aspects, re-use and recycling of exhausted filter materials are key issues addressed.

The European Directive on Construction Products (CPD) establishes a set of essential requirements on construction products to be fulfilled throughout the "working life" of the construction works. The demands expressed in the directive is one significant driver, international attention another. Both CEN through a "task force on durability" and ISO through TC59/SC14 "Design Life" are addressing the subject. The work of ISO has led to the establishment of a suite of procedural standards on service life planning, including service life declaration and service life assessment methodologies, useful to be applied in the declaration and the application of service life information.

The political agendas related to sustainable development and the understanding that building and construction is a key industrial sector to implement sustainability principles have led to the establishment of ISO TC59/SC17 "Sustainability in building construction". Being the first ISO subcommittee expressly dealing with sustainability in relation to an industrial sector, the work focuses on economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainability relative to buildings and construction works.

Together with the established standards on service life and the concept of performance-based building, all the three provide a procedural reference point for the consideration of sustainability aspects. They all benefit when applied in common context, and can provide each other with necessary information. On a European scale this common context is elaborated with the work of CEN TC350. The status of development, key drivers and key success factors are elaborated in this paper.

The EU project Smart-ECO brings together experienced organizations spanning the full range of stakeholders covering the area of sustainable building. These include universities, R&D organizations, companies developing, supplying and using innovative technologies, consultants, users, government and policy makers. Smart-ECO uses this core partnership together with a wider stakeholder group community to focus on global issues of sustainable building to identify and evaluate priorities for current and future RTD activities. Activities and policies are due to be mapped to identify gaps and to focus future efforts. Innovative technologies, as well as improvements of the construction process, and their introduction into the building sector will be considered in relation to sustainable development, life performance, ambient intelligence, and other relevant stakeholder concerns.

The project focuses on routes and means to enable the uptake of efficient technological and non-technological innovation that in turn enable the building and construction sector to meet the requirement for sustainable building. The current situation and the vision of a more sustainable built environment sets the frame for the appreciation of the long term effectiveness of Eco-buildings and innovative technologies, especially renewable energy systems. Together, the vision and relevant EC policies will serve as a reference framework for the analysis of life performance aspects of innovative technologies applied to realise more energy efficient and more sustainable buildings.

This paper presents and discusses the process of establishing a reliable vision for sustainable buildings and related performance requirements.