Self-Cleaning Glass

Abstract

Self-cleaning glass with a coated external surface exhibits both photocatalytic and photo-induced superhydrophilic properties. Such properties provide the conditions for the decomposition of organic contaminants and washing-off of inorganic ones by rainwater flowing down in the form of a thin film. The basic data on the mechanism of photocatalysis and photo-induced hydrophobicity on titanium dioxide coatings are provided. The data on the optical, structural, photocatalytic, and superhydrophilic properties of the commercial self-cleaning glass are summarized. It is demonstrated that a layer of organic contaminants of a thickness of up to 10 nm can be removed from the glass surface within 1-hour exposure to sunlight/daylight. The absence of standards for self-cleaning glass is underlined; the problems and results of the glass preparation are indicated. An express-analysis method for the photocatalytic activity of self-cleaning articles is described. The results of long-term in situ testing prove the efficiency of these articles.