Projects / Programmes
Samočistilni antibakterijski fotokatalitski premazi v beli tehniki (Slovene)
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.04.01 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Materials science and technology |
Inorganic nonmetallic materials |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.05 |
Engineering and Technology |
Materials engineering |
Researchers (13)
Organisations (3)
Significance for science
The project »Self-cleaning antibacterial photocatalytic coatings in whitewear production« includes the aspects of scientific and applied research. TiO2 with photocatalytic activity under the visible light has great potential for the applications in the field of energy storage and environmental pollution control. In spite of numerous investigations, the role of various dopants on the visible-light photocatalytic activity of TiO2 is still elusive and in some cases not clear. The similar situation is on the field of research of antibacterial efficiency, where the findings are often contradictious. Since the developed material are meant for the applications in everyday life (antibacterial protection of household appliances) we are limited with the selection of dopants. The goals of the project exceed the preparation of new material. The great emphasis is on the study of correlations between the crystal structure, morphology, doping and photocatalytic activity. In the continuation of the project we proved that the materials based on the hydroxyapatite composites with nobel metals exceed the TiO2 based composited. Results obtained during the research performed within the project are published in several international journals with high impact factors. As an example are results regarding the novel HAp/Pt photocatalytic material published in J. Mater. Chem. with IF 5.97. The results regarding the novel titanate/Ag composite were declared as the top viewed/downloaded articles of the journal shortly after it was published in Nanotechnology.
Significance for the country
Execution of the project is performed in collaboration with the Gorenje, which is one of the leading producers of household appliances in the word and one of the biggest enterprises in Slovenia. Gorenje is able to compete with pretentious international market only with high quality products. Similar to majority of worldwide producers of household appliances Gorenje has used Ag-based antibacterial protection of interior of refrigerators. However, the new regulations in the European community have recently prohibited the use of nano-Ag in all the products that are in contact with food. Because of new regulations Gorenje is forced to look for new kind of antibacterial protection. Taking into account the safety, stability and already known antibacterial properties of TiO2, the development of TiO2-based antibacterial protection seems to be the most appropriate. In the continuation we proved that hydroxyapatite composites with nobel metals are also safe and even more efficient photocatalytic and antibacterial materials.
Development of new antibacterial protection is of great importance for the position of Gorenje on the competitive international market. Additionally, the photocatalytic and antibacterial activity under visible light would make possible a wider use of TiO2. In the continuation we intend to transfer the original scientific findings about the photocatalytic activity of variously doped TiO2 to the field of environmental protection and building materials. It is believed that this could bring a progress also on these for Slovenia very important fields. An additional importance of the project is in education and transfer of knowledge between the research organization and industry enterprise. Namely, the experts from the industry and research organization are involved in the execution of the project with their doctoral or master thesis.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
