Development of self-cleaning bricks surfaces by CaCO3modified nano-TiO2 composite coatings

Abstract

Recently, many studies have been carried out on self-cleaning characteristic because it is being regarded as one of the most interesting topics in biomimicry because of its potential applications in energy conversion, and biomedical and environmental protection. In this study, spin coating process has been introduced to coat bricks surfaces with TiO2 nanoparticles based polymer composite coatings modified using CaCO3 particles for self-cleaning and environmental purposes. The matrix solutions were prepared from Polystyrene. Particle size analyzing PSA and x-ray diffraction XRD were employed for characterization of the particles. The coatings were characterized by SEM and AFM techniques, and contact angle measurement CA. Results proved that CA increased with the increasing of PS ratio and additions of nano-TiO2 and CaCO3.The composite coatings have dense topography with roughness increased with increasing of the CaCO3 addition, and porous morphology characterized by clear distribution of the nano TiO2 particles and larger CaCO3 modification particles. Also, it could be concluded that the %20PS/%6TiO2/1gCaCO3 coatings, could give promised effect in modification of bricks surfaces from superhydrophilic substrates to Superhydrophobic with higher contact angle 167.3987°. This results will encourage the future research in surface engineering of bricks surfaces using CaCO3 particles for self-cleaning and environmental applications.