Development of Low Carbon Glass-based Architectural Products with Durable Antimicrobial Potential and Beyond

The world has been under constant threat of global warming and emerging/reemerging diseases and Hong Kong is no exception. Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 was released to reduce total carbon emissions by half against the 2005 level before 2035, achieving carbon neutrality before 2050. On the other hand, Hong Kong as one of the major international cities and a paramount hub connecting Mainland China is filled with international business travellers and tourists, making it a perfect stop for disease transmission. With the multidisciplinary team members from CEE, SFT and FSN, we have developed novel architectural materials with not only the capacity to trap carbon dioxide but also antibacterial / antiviral effect. Two out of the four major decarbonization strategies, namely the green building and waste management, were adopted to prepare the construction materials. A positive-charged polymer with broad-spectrum of antiseptic and disinfectant property was added in the construction mortar. This study showcases the possibilities of integrating architectural and biotech factors to create novel architectural materials beneficial for both environment and human health.