Technology Overview

Self-cleaning paints can reduce the need for frequent cleaning and recoating, saving labour costs, especially for larger infrastructure where maintenance work is time-consuming and expensive. RP has developed an ultrasonic-assisted, wet chemical method to prepare doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) material as an additive for paints and coatings. This additive provides the photocatalytic / photo-induced self-cleaning effect on the coating surface, enabling long-lasting surface cleanliness and, thus, requiring less maintenance. It can also aid in the removal of organic airborne pollutants such as sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen through photo-degradation reactions.

Features

Unlike conventional TiO2-based additives, which can only be activated by specific band gap of UV light (e.g., 3.2eV, 387 nm), the proposed doped TiO2 additive extends its active spectrum of photocatalytic activity into the visible light range. This extension greatly improves the self-cleaning effects and surface de-pollution efficiencies.

• Compatible with water-based paints and coatings

• Degrades particulate and organic airborne pollutants to clean building surfaces

Potential Applications

• Exterior and interior of buildings

• Glass panels and various surfaces for its self-cleaning effect

Benefits

• Can be used on existing and new buildings

• Reduce the frequency of maintenance and the need to re-coat surfaces

• Paints and coatings incorporated with this self-cleaning additive can be easily applied on the surfaces by painting or spraying application methods

Commercialisation

The technology is available for licensing and deployment.