A manifold positive contribution to climate change mitigation and in the improvement of air quality of built environments can be provided by the use of titanium dioxide (TiO2), also - but not exclusively - as coating for building envelope materials, to spread its beneficial effect on the largest surface area possible. The benefits in applying TiO2 coatings - containing in particular the anatase phase - rely, first of all, on the UV-activated photocatalytic degradation of pollutants mediated by it, which can mitigate pollution arising from industrial sources, heating and transportation. Moreover, changes in wettability upon UV irradiation lead to a superhydrophilic state which, coupled with photocatalysis, results in the so called self-cleaning effect, allowing materials to retain a cleaner and more reflective surface over time. Reducing the impact of aging on the optical-radiative performance of built environment surfaces has a strong influence on the thermal comfort and energy consumption of buildings. Here we present a novel effect observed on long-term durability investigations of commercial siloxane paints containing anatase nanoparticles: an increase in reflectance in the near infrared (NIR) wavelength range upon material aging. This could open the door for HNO3 treatment of TiO2 as a method to boost the self-cleaning efficiency and reflectance of surfaces for building, construction and solar technologies.

Improving the optical-radiative properties of TiO2 containing coatings - A side effect of air purification

PAOLINI, RICCARDO;PEDEFERRI, MARIAPIA;DIAMANTI, MARIA VITTORIA
2016-01-01

Abstract

A manifold positive contribution to climate change mitigation and in the improvement of air quality of built environments can be provided by the use of titanium dioxide (TiO2), also - but not exclusively - as coating for building envelope materials, to spread its beneficial effect on the largest surface area possible. The benefits in applying TiO2 coatings - containing in particular the anatase phase - rely, first of all, on the UV-activated photocatalytic degradation of pollutants mediated by it, which can mitigate pollution arising from industrial sources, heating and transportation. Moreover, changes in wettability upon UV irradiation lead to a superhydrophilic state which, coupled with photocatalysis, results in the so called self-cleaning effect, allowing materials to retain a cleaner and more reflective surface over time. Reducing the impact of aging on the optical-radiative performance of built environment surfaces has a strong influence on the thermal comfort and energy consumption of buildings. Here we present a novel effect observed on long-term durability investigations of commercial siloxane paints containing anatase nanoparticles: an increase in reflectance in the near infrared (NIR) wavelength range upon material aging. This could open the door for HNO3 treatment of TiO2 as a method to boost the self-cleaning efficiency and reflectance of surfaces for building, construction and solar technologies.
2016
Advanced Materials - TechConnect Briefs 2016
9780997511710
Near infrared; Reflectance; Self-cleaning; Solar technologies; Titanium dioxide; Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes; Biotechnology; Surfaces, Coatings and Films; Fuel Technology
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11311/1022812
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