Development of Hydrophilic Self-Cleaning and Ultraviolet-Shielding Coatings Incorporating Micro-Titanium Dioxide/Nano-Calcium Carbonate (μ-TiO2)/(Nano-CaCO3) 2 )/(Nano-CaCO 3 )

• Main Authors: Syafiq, A., Awalin, L. J., Ali, M. S., Sarjidan, M. A. Mohd, Rahim, N. A., Pandey, A. K.
• Format: Article
• Published: Trans Tech Publications 2024
• Subjects: Q Science (General); QC Physics
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/47117/; https://doi.org/10.4028/p-4HWb6k

The dust accumulation and dirt particles always degrade the transparency of glass, later hampers its various applications such as photovoltaic panels, building glass, and car-windshield. In this study, the hydrophilic self-cleaning coatings have been developed by using the nano-calcium Carbonate particles (nano-CaCO3) and hydrophilic micro-titanium dioxide particles (mu -TiO2). The presence of oxide groups, CO-3 and TiO2- forms a strong attraction of glass to polar water molecules. At the weight ratio of 1: 1 in the CaCO3 to TiO2 mixture, it forms a great hydrophilic property in which the water contact angle (WCA) of coated glass has been recorded as low as 11.46 +/- 0.85 degrees. The coated glass also showed high transparency in UV and Visible regions. The optical transmission of coated glass was above 89% at the wavelength of 300-400nm and above 97% at the wavelength of 400-800nm. Due to its hydrophilic property, the coated glass is capable of removing the dust particles away via the water stream. The hydrophilic coating spontaneously forms the water-thin film after contact with coated glass without the presence of UV light.