Titania self-cleaning

Lam, S.W., Soetanto, A. and Amal, R. (2009) Self-cleaning performance of polycarbonate surfaces coated with titania nanoparticles. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 11, 1971-1979. 

Mor GK, Varghese OK, Paulose M, Grimes CA (2003) A Self-cleaning room temperature titania-nanotube hydrogen gas sensor. Sens Lett 1 42-46... 

Applications of titania nanotube arrays have been focused up to now on (i) photoelectrochemical and water photolysis properties, (ii) dye-sensitized solar cells, (iii) photocatalysis, (iv) hydrogen sensing, self-cleaning sensors, and biosensors, (v) materials for photo- and/or electro-chromic effects, and (vi) materials for fabrication of Li-batteries and advanced membranes and/or electrodes for fuel cells. A large part of recent developments in these areas have been discussed in recent reviews.We focus here on the use of these materials as catalysts, even though results are still limited, apart from the use as photocatalysts for which more results are available. 

The cements containing active photocatalytic titania nanoparticles have widespread applications to create environmentally clean surfaces. These applications include self-cleaning surfaces, anti-soiling, depollution of VOCs and NOx contaminants and antifungal/microbial activities [521-528]. The relevant photocatalytic processes may occur both at the air-solid interface and at the liquid-solid interface. 

Yates HM, Brook LA, Ditta IB, Evans P, Foster AH, Sheel WD, et al. Photo-induced self—cleaning and biocidal behaviour of titania and copper oxide multilayers. J Photochem Photobiol A 2008 197 197-2008. 

A modern use of titania-silica microhoneycombs may be in self cleaning applications (Tamon et al, 2006b) by the sol-gel process, the titania particles are more finely dispersed in the matrix than by conventional methods, and much higher BET surface areas can be reached consequently, pulverized gels proved to have outstanding photocatalytic activity in the decomposition of large organic molecules. 

Anatase and rutile titania nanoparticles and pigmentary titania particles were used for photooxidation studies on a metaUocene PE [4] and proved to be more photochemically active than the pigment particles. On the other hand, titania nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic activity (anatase) may be used in nanocomposites coatings having self-cleaning properties. 

Functionalization of a cotton febric surfece with titania nanosols applications for self-cleaning and UV-protection properties. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 1, 2141-2146. 

Piispanen, M. and Hupa, L. Comparison of self-cleaning properties of three titania coatings on float glass. Appl. Surf.Sci., 258 (2011) 1120-1131. 

A. MUls, S. Hodgen, and S. K. Lee, Self-Cleaning Titania FUms An Overview of Direct, Lateral and Remote Photo-Oxidation Processes, Res. Chem Intermed., 31, 295-308 (2004). 

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