This research presents a dual-pronged bibliometric and systematic review of the integration of phase change materials (PCM) in asphalt pavements to counteract the urban heat island (UHI) effect. The bibliometric approach discerns the evolution of PCM-inclusion asphalt research, highlighting a marked rise in the number of publications between 2019 and 2022. Notably, Chang’an University in China has emerged as a leading contributor. The systematic review addresses key questions like optimal PCM types for UHI effect mitigation, strategies for PCM leakage prevention in asphalt, and effects on mechanical properties. The findings identify polyethylene glycols (PEGs), especially PEG2000 and PEG4000, as prevailing PCM due to their wide phase-change temperature range and significant enthalpy during phase transitions. While including PCM can modify asphalt’s mechanical attributes, such mixtures typically stay within performance norms. This review emphasises the potential of PCM in urban heat management and the need for further research to achieve optimal thermal and mechanical balance.

This research reports a simple, innovative, and low-cost doping method of TiO₂ nanoparticles presenting the effects of calcination and the weight ratio of TiO₂:FeCl₃ (1:0.33–1:4.5). The photocatalytic activity of the nanomaterials was investigated by decolorizing Rhodamine B (RhB) dye in an aqueous solution. The main results showed that there is anatase-to-rutile transformation after the calcination process. The Fe-doped process modified the TiO₂ spectrum and showed a connection in the Ti–O–Fe vibration. The particle size is within the nanometer range, between 20–51 nm, except for calcined TiO₂. The inclusion of Fe in TiO₂ decreased the band gap energy from 3.16 (reference) up to 2.06 eV (1:3). Additionally, after the calcination, there was a decrease in this value from 3.03 eV (reference) up to 1.95 eV (1:1.6). The TiO₂, with a ratio of (1:1.6), showed the highest activity in the photocatalytic degradation of RhB with an efficiency of 93.8% after 3 h of irradiation.

Aging by oxidation of asphalt roadway material promotes changes in its physical, chemical, and rheological properties, affecting its hardening and accelerating the degradation of its corresponding asphalt mixture. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has been applied in engineering investigations to promote anti-aging and photocatalytic properties. In this study, a commercial binder was modified with nano-TiO₂ (using contents of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 6%). It was evaluated by physicochemical and rheological tests (penetration, softening point, mass loss, dynamic viscosity, rheology, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy—FTIR) before and after aging by rolling thin-film oven test (RTFOT) and pressure aging vessel (PAV). The results indicated that incorporating nano-TiO₂ mitigates binder aging, pointing out 0.25% as an optimum modification content for the investigated asphalt binder.

Asphalt road pavements are usually dark and, consequently, have a low albedo. Therefore, they absorb energy as heat, increasing the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, which impacts the environment, energy consumption, and human health. Through the functionalization with thermochromic materials (TM), this work aims to develop a smart asphalt pavement able to change its surface color, increasing the reflectance, and thus mitigate this phenomenon. To achieve this goal, asphalt substrates were functionalized by a surface spray coating of a thermochromic solution (TS) containing aqueous solution of thermochromic microcapsules (thermocapsules), dye, and epoxy resin. To evaluate the functionalization features, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Thermal Differential test (TDT) with cyclic temperature variation were performed in the functionalized asphalt binder. Moreover, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS), a Quick Ultraviolet Accelerated Weathering Test (QUV) with Colorimetry test, and an adaptation of the Accelerated Polishing Test (APT) were performed on the functionalized asphalt mixture. The results indicate that the functionalization of asphalt substrates with TS exhibits a reversible color-change ability, higher luminosity values when subjected to temperatures above 30 °C, and wear resistance.

The economic activity of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) has become increasingly project-oriented. Given SMEs’ significant role in promoting social and economic well-being, Project Management (PM) has emerged as a crucial tool for fostering innovation and sustainability within these companies and society as a whole. However, there is a gap in the existing literature concerning identifying practices that ensure innovation and sustainability throughout PM within SMEs and the associated benefits of adopting these practices. To address this gap, a comprehensive Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted, gathering articles from reputable databases such as Scopus and Web of Science. In addition, this study seeks to explore the practical, political, and theoretical implications of these findings. The review identified 166 innovation practices, 86 sustainability practices, and 61 benefits, which were categorized based on their primary subject areas. The results of this study contribute to both the academic and practical understanding of the interplay between PM, innovation, and sustainability in SMEs. By identifying these practices and associated benefits, this research provides valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers, enabling them to foster innovation and sustainability within SMEs. In conclusion, this research fills a critical gap in the literature by providing an in-depth analysis of innovation and sustainability practices in the context of PM in SMEs. Also, it identifies that the benefits of adopting these practices extend well beyond economic considerations. The practical, political, and theoretical implications of these findings underscore the importance of integrating PM, innovation, and sustainability for the overall well-being of SMEs and society.

Building façades are constantly exposed to atmospheric pollution and various external agents that can degrade their aesthetic qualities and introduce degradation patterns that affect the durability and performance of the materials. Façades with self-cleaning properties are important in the modern construction industry and the conservation of historic buildings, as they reduce costs and allow the preservation of original surfaces without the need for invasive interventions that could compromise cultural heritage. This study does a comparative analysis of the application of photocatalytic coatings composed of aqueous dispersions of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂) and zinc oxide microparticles (ZnO) on cementitious substrates for use on façades by two functionalisation methods: spray coating and dip coating. A comprehensive characterisation was carried out using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) to assess the morphology, crystal structure and light absorption properties of the photocatalyst particles while Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to evaluate the substrate. The self-cleaning performance was evaluated by monitoring the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye under simulated sunlight. Spectrophotometric analysis was used to assess the colour coordinates using a standard colour system (CIELAB colour space). The results showed that the photocatalytic coatings improved the surfaces' self-cleaning properties while maintaining the substrate's original aesthetics. Spray-applied micro-ZnO-based coatings showed the most significant effectiveness in terms of self-cleaning.