Review of nanocomposite coating to help in self-cleaning

against dust
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Contents
List of figures............................................................................................................................................................. 2
Abstract........................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Nanocoatings- Effect of Self-Assembly....................................................................................................... 4
Wettability of Surface........................................................................................................................................ 5
Literature Review..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Coatings made of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic...................................................................................... 5
Protocatlysts.......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Coatings with wear resistance.......................................................................................................................... 7
Coatings that retard flames............................................................................................................................... 8
Coatings with resistance to corrosion............................................................................................................ 8
Materials that change phase.............................................................................................................................. 8
Properties of Antimicrobe................................................................................................................................. 9
Conclusions............................................................................................................................................................. 10
References................................................................................................................................................................ 11

List of figures

Figure 1 Nanoparticles Self Assembly (Source “[16]”)............................................................................... 4

Figure 2 Glass that Self Cleans (Source "[16]")............................................................................................. 6
Figure 3 SiO2 Coated Glass (Source "[16]")................................................................................................... 6
Figure 4 Functional Mechanism of PCMs (Source "[16]").........................................................................9
Abstract
Human health and other elements of nature are affected by the quality of air, including climate
change, this is a major problem that modern society faces. Air pollution needs to be reduced in
order to prevent health problems, measures are taken to reduce their amount. In this regard, a
photocatalytic additive and self-cleaning coating are used to improve the properties of building
materials. As an alternative, hard nanocrystalline phases could be produced within a metallic
matrix to produce high hardness. A review on nanocomposite coatings is presented in this paper,
providing a comprehensive overview of the class, preparation methods, properties, and
characterization methods associated with nanocomposite coatings. W will also discuss the use of
nanocoatings in PV as well as construction of buildings.

Keywords: nanotechnology, nanocomposite material, dust, self-cleaning, nanocrystalline

Introduction
There has been a steady increase in air pollution. In urban and industrialized areas, this is mostly
the case. Different gases, dusts and aerosols are responsible for determining the quality of the air.
Pollutants that have the greatest impact on air quality are carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, as well as dust (PM2.5 to PM10)
[1]. Nevertheless, it is also important to consider the reactions that occur in the atmosphere when
these compounds are present. Ozone is formed in the lower atmosphere by reactions between
organic compounds and nitrogen oxides, which is particularly crucial for regions characterized
by high summer temperatures [3].

Pollutants may undergo additional chemical and physical changes as they move through the
atmosphere, removing other environmental hazards. This also causes architectural objects to
deposit and patina., causes deterioration of building materials by these factors. Surfaces are more
than physical barriers that separate an object from its surroundings [2-4]. They have many
functions of their own that contribute to product design. To keep the look of surfaces for the
longest possible time, surfaces should feel good to the touch, be easy to clean, and not be soiled
or stained by water.

Nanocoatings- Effect of Self-Assembly

The construction industry is increasingly using nanocoatings on surfaces and doors of buildings,
particularly in the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly buildings [12]. They
provide an extra layer of protection that can be attached to any material, providing a surface with
the desired characteristics. Nanocoatings' self-healing capacities can be attributed to their
capability of self-assembly [16].
 Figure 1 Nanoparticles Self Assembly (Source “[16]”)

Assemblies that assemble spontaneously from interactions between products or parts (Figure 1)
are called self-assemblies. As a result of direct or indirect interaction, spontaneous organization
is due to either their direct or indirect interactions with their environment. A key concept for the
application of nanocoatings is based on the spatial arrangement of self-assembled nanoparticles
[16].

Wettability of Surface
Young-Dupré equation, which describes that droplets of liquid can clean themselves by creating
an equilibrium contact angle after they reach equilibrium [4]. If ϴ = 0, coating materials need to
be wet on the surface, whereas if θ ≥ 900 the surface will be hydrophobic. When measuring
contact angle hysteresis, the difference between increasing and decreasing contact angles is
normally taken into account in order to determine contact angle hysteresis [6].

Solid surfaces would be completely smooth and homogeneous in chemical composition if all of
their surfaces were flat and smooth, and as the measurements were carried out slowly, all
surfaces were examined were in equilibrium with one another, the ideal state can only be
achieved. Surface wettability is significantly impacted by roughness. Wenzel's theory explains
the phenomenon of liquids completely soaking into a rough surface, while Cassie's model
describes the process of having a rough surface with an irregular structure so that air is occluded
in unevenness [8]. A superhydrophobic surface with a contact angle of more than 150* is
generated by reducing the wettability of the surface [8-10].

It is the aim of this review to examine the fundamentals of nanocoatings and their applications in
wide variety of industries.
Literature Review
Coatings made of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic
According to K.E. Geckler, Titanium Oxide (TiO2) is a thin layer that provides a self-cleaning
surface under thin film coverage. A two-stage cleaning process takes place on the glass [6].
Under the action of ultraviolet light, the organic dirt on the glass is broken down during the
photocatalytic step of the process. The resulting superhydrophilic glass is then crafted into an
elegant piece of art. This is depicted in Figure-2 [16].

Figure 2 Glass that Self Cleans (Source "[16]")

If the TiO2 porous film is doped with a small amount of silver, its antibacterial effect can be
enhanced without irradiation with ultraviolet light. Water- and corrosion-resistance is the main
purpose of hydrophobic coatings [10]. Figure 3 shows a silicon oxide (SiO2) coating that has a
hydrophobic property [16]. When water droplets come in contact with one another, the contact
angles exceed 150° and the roll-off angle is below 10°. Flat building surfaces and base materials
such as tiles, rocks, and wood can be coated in either hydrophilic or hydrophobic coating
mechanisms [13][15].

Figure 3 SiO2 Coated Glass (Source "[16]")

Protocatlysts
Materials must have photocatalytic properties in addition to superhydrophobic properties, our
performance standards over the past few years require us to meet. Research teams have therefore
been looking into photocatalytic additives that decompose impurities in building materials or
paints in recent years [11].

The process of photocatalysis occurs when a reaction rate or its initiation is changed by the
energy of ultraviolet, visible or infrared radiation. Photocatalysts must be present, since light
must be absorbed and reactants must be converted. As a process of advanced oxidation,
photocatalysis falls into one of those groups. Upon absorbing a certain wavelength of radiation, a
semiconductor is excited by valence, band gap, and conductivity. During electron transport to the
conductivity band, the amount of energy supplied must be high enough. By determining redox
reactions, we can determine redox reactions [8]. The conductivity band produces an electron that
reacts with oxygen. This reaction is characterized by the formation of a radical called a
superoxide anion, which then leads to hydrogen peroxide formation as a result of further
chemical processes [7].

Due to its crystallographic structure, morphology, and electronic structure, TiO2 is useful for a
wide range of applications. Researchers are therefore investigating materials that can be
modified to facilitate photocatalysis while remaining stable physically and chemically. A thick
layer of TiO2 can act as a disinfectant when applied to walls in operating rooms, tunnel walls,
and concrete roads. It can also be used to coat photocatalytic layers of sound absorbing screens.
It is possible to remove odors from ceramic tiles, for example, by coating them with
photocatalytic layers.

Coatings with wear resistance

There have been numerous reports emphasizing the use of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), Silicon
dioxide (SiO2), Aluminum oxide (Al 2O3), and Titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles for
increasing coating hardness and mechanical properties. The nanoparticles' small size means that
they have minimal impact on the coatings' transparency and gloss. Parquet flooring and window
panes can therefore be maintained with nanocoatings [15][13].

Photogenerated charge carriers are trapped by new elements in TiO2, reducing the rate of
electron–hole recombination and potentially increasing the efficiency of photocatalysis. When
TiO2 is modified by irradiation with visible light, it can be activated as a photocatalyst [7]. When
impurities are added to TiO2, they are incorporated into the structure and are modified. This
reduced band gap energy is the characteristic of the photocatalyst. The absorber of visible light is
the nanoparticle of noble metals or organic dye and the conductor is TiO2, which is the catalyst
responsible for the photocatalysis.

As another example, modified TiO2 was made from methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol, as well
as NH3 as a nitrogen source. These modified TiO2-N, C ceramics have been used to produce
bricks of varying sizes and ceramic tiles, weighing between 1% and 20%. The results of the test
indicated, from the perspective of photocatalysis, that C photocatalysts had the greatest
effectiveness within materials containing 10% by weight of TiO2-N. Additionally, lauric acid
was used in order to modify TiO2 single crystals, UV-Vis radiation reduces the surface area of
individual domain structures, which appear as 80 to 90 nm thick domain structures on the
surface. Consequently, lauric acid molecules along the lauric acid-TiO2-air boundary will
photodegrade.

Coatings that retard flames

According to Dalawai, S et. al., A nano-size magnesium aluminum alloyed double hydroxide
(LDH), titanium oxide (TiO2), and silicon oxide (SiO2) was added to flame-retardant
nanocoatings. Several researchers focused on using nano-sized particles of silica and
polyacrylate in Nano-Composite Emulsions (NCEs) to make paint. Based on the results, the
product proved to be extremely antipollution and flame resistant [11].

In order to achieve catalysis, it is crucial that the layer containing the photocatalyst is thick and
deep as well as that the concrete can be used in its useful form. With permeable, openwork
surfaces, light and air are able to reach a larger area, which is beneficial when it comes to
removing ozone and NOx. The absence of gaps in permeable concrete means that a depth of
50mm cannot be reached by UV-A light, eliminating potential photocathodic reactions.
Photocatalytic oxidation of NOx is impossible without electron excitation by UV radiation. The
presence of surface contamination significantly limits the ability to significantly reduce
impurities using catalysis, even by as much as 80 to 90% in the case of NOx reduction.

Coatings with resistance to corrosion

The corrosion resistance of aluminium alloys was successfully enhanced using chromate
conversion coatings. The corrosion resistance of composite coatings was improved by adding
nano-Mn2O3 particles. Boostani H. also provided a review of the latest corrosion-resistant
coatings and self-healing technologies [16].

Materials that change phase

According to S. Leydecker, Coatings incorporated with the Low-Heat Storage (LHS) system
[4]. Results showed that conventional coating materials generated higher surface temperatures.
In addition to their high thermal conductivity, nanoparaffin composites can also be used as
energy storage and environmental release devices by absorbing or releasing large amounts of
energy changing from solid to liquid or vice versa. Furthermore, it was also discovered that
mesoporous silica (MPSiO2) nanoparticles are extremely efficient as an alternative form of
thermal storage. (PCMs) are illustrated in Figure 4. These structures incorporate panels that are
exposed to air for certain lengths of time, such as walls, windows, and floors.

Figure 4 Functional Mechanism of PCMs (Source "[16]")

Properties of Antimicrobe
According to C. Sanchez, Air quality also includes the presence of microorganisms, which can
negatively affect human health as well as participate in biochemical processes [7]. There are a
variety of microorganisms that live on building materials. Fungi, algae, and bacteria are among
the most common.

Humans can be negatively affected by microorganisms growing inside rooms, especially those
that grow on building materials. These contaminants can cause harmful effects to indoor air
quality and adversely affect human health, resulting in allergic reactions, poisoning, superficial
infections, and other respiratory conditions [9]. As a result of diverse microorganism
populations, construction materials can also be weakened or corroded, discolored, crackled, and
corroded; short-chain additives may also degrade from degradation; and layers of silicates may
be broken up.
Conclusions
A review of nanocoatings was presented in this paper that discussed the basic mechanisms of
reaction, the materials, as well as their application to building construction. In order to
understand a basic mechanism of nanocoatings, we have to go beyond just self-healing
capabilities. We have to understand how a system assembles itself spontaneously by interacting
with its components to form a larger functional unit. By implementing different and
multifunctional nanocoatings, we have been able to make a significant contribution to self-
assembly process efficiency using nanomaterials by implementing the different and
multifunctional nanocoatings. Despite the fact that nanomaterials have not been proven to have
substantial drawbacks, they are increasingly used as coatings in order to reduce CO2 emissions
and green gas emissions as well as to achieve sustainable development targets.

In order to address the worsened air quality, we need to use new building materials. Using
photocatalysts, these methods contribute to both the reduction and elimination of hazardous air
pollutants, such as volatile inorganic compounds or nitrogen oxides, and microorganisms that
contribute to air pollution. Combining the self-cleaning process with the modified materials will
allow for an extension of the weather protection time and increase the service life of buildings
through the use of photocatalysis. In addition to gaseous compounds, dusts can also cause a
decrease in the efficiency of photo catalysis and self-cleaning processes if they are present in the
air during the photocatalysis process in addition to gaseous compounds. Due to the fact that
sorption of dusts on surfaces no longer meets its purpose, active sites cease to function and the
reduction of pollution is practically zero in those cases. In order to verify a material's
effectiveness in real life conditions, it should be subjected to various tests. A laboratory
environment cannot accurately simulate the composition of ambient air in different locations, the
effect of temperature on air quality, or changes in building materials that have a substantial
impact on the efficiency of photocatalysis.
In general, the new generation of nanosensors, which are typically applied as coatings on
surfaces used for construction functions, can be regarded compatible with this research context,
however, due to their wide, versatile application, they will be considered as an independent
investigation in a future investigation.

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