(77j) Sturdy, Transparent Nanocomposite Coating Repels Both Water and Oils, Featuring Self-Cleaning Via Physical and Chemical Means.

Surfaces that repel both water and oils have garnered significant interest due to their ability to resist liquids of varying surface tensions. This trait holds promise for safeguarding a variety of surfaces, including glass, by employing a physical self-cleaning mechanism, thereby keeping them free from dust and dirt. Our study introduces a coating that integrates liquid repellency (offering physical self-cleaning) with photocatalytic activity (triggering chemical self-cleaning under UV radiation). Consequently, this coating exhibits an enhanced self-cleaning ability derived from two distinct mechanisms: physical and chemical. Given its intended application for glass protection, our primary focus is on preserving the optical transparency of the glass. The coating formulation comprises a fluorosilane and titanium oxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles. We investigate the effects of (a) the number of coating cycles applied to treat glass and (b) the concentration of TiO₂ nanoparticles on optical transparency, liquid repellency, and photocatalytic activity. Among the evaluated coatings, one prepared with two coating cycles and a specific nano-TiO₂ concentration is selected for its optimal combination of the three desired properties. This chosen coating demonstrates exceptional mechanical durability against abrasion, resilience against UV-induced degradation, chemical stability, and resistance to stains and smudges.

Acknowledgements

The financial support of Abu Dhabi University through the Internal Research, Innovation and Impact Grant No. 19300626 and 19300777 to Ioannis Zuburtikudis is greatly acknowledged.