Projects / Programmes
Self-cleaning and photocatalytic coatings for environmental applications
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.04.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P003 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
coatings, titania, sol-gel, low-temperature preparation, self-cleaning effect, photocatalysis
Researchers (9)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
1540 |
University of Nova Gorica |
Nova Gorica |
5920884000 |
14,060 |
Abstract
The present research proposal includes preparation and characterization of self-cleaning and photocatalytic coatings based on titanium dioxide, which would be deposited on various substrates (glass, ceramics, marble, plastic). From the point of view of future applications in Slovenia, the development of marketable transparent coatings is needed. To achieve this goal we will use our existing knowledge and experience in the field of sol-gel processing of transparent thin oxide films, which is based on the use of alkoxide precursors and in many case the addition of structural directing agents (surfactants). Surfactants are typically removed by heat-treatment of the films at temperatures above 400(C. This process leads to the crystallization of anatase, the most photocatalytically active TiO2 phase, to the porous nanostructure and the large contact surface area. The latter is critical for the adsorption of organic pollutants to be degraded by the photocatalysis. These high processing temperatures, however, represent a major obstacle to any application and to the deposition on thermally unstable substrates, such as plastic materials. Deposition on glass is also affected by the high temperatures because of the possible migration of alkali ion from the glass into the active film which results in much lower photocatalytic activity of TiO2. We will therefore first focus on the low-temperature preparation of either pure TiO2 films or doped and binary TiO2-MO2 (M = Si, Zr) films. The photocatalytic ability of these films for degradation of organic pollutants in water (dyes, pesticides) will be tested for their potential use in wastewater purification on a laboratory scale, while their self-cleaning efficiencies will also be tested on a production scale. For self cleaning we need to achieve superhydrophilic surfaces with the help of sunlight. These possess good wettability and thereby washing away dirt and photodegradation products of organic pollutants adsorbed on the coating’s surface more easily. The preparation of new coatings will be supported by microscopic and spectroscopic characterization and chromatographic characterization of the degradation products.
