Development of self-cleaning polydimethylsiloxane/nano-calcium carbonate-titanium dioxide coating with fog-resistance response for building glass

Abstract

PurposeThis paper introduced the simple synthesis process of self-cleaning coating with fog-resistance property using hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer and nano-calcium carbonate (nano-CaCO3) and titanium dioxide (TiO2).Design/methodology/approachThe synthesis method of PDMS/nano-CaCO3-TiO2 is based on sol-gel process. The crosslinking between PDMS and nanoparticles is driven by the covalent bond at temperature of 50°C. The 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane is used as binder for nanoparticles attachment in polymer matrix. Two fabrication methods are used, which are dip- and spray-coating methods.FindingsThe prepared coated glass fulfilled the requirement of standard self-cleaning and fog-resistance performance. For the self-cleaning test BS EN 1096-5:2016, the coated glasses exhibited the dust haze value around 20%–25% at tilt angle of 10°. For the antifog test, the coated glasses showed the fog haze value were below 2% and the gloss value were above 85%. The obtained results completely achieved the standard antifog value ASTM F659-06 protocol.Research limitations/implicationsFindings will provide an infrastructure support for the building glass to enhance building’s energy efficiency, cleaning performance and friendly environment.Practical implicationsThis study proposed the simple synthesis method using hydrophobic polymer and nano-CaCO3 and nano-TiO2, which can achieve optimum self-cleaning property at low tilt angle and fog-resistance performance for building glass.Social implicationsThe research findings have high potential for building company, cleaning building company and government sector. The proposed project capable to reduces the energy consumption about 20% per annum due to labor cost, time-consuming and safety during manual cleaning.Originality/valueThe novel method to develop self-cleaning coating with fog-resistance using simple synthesis process and fabrication method for building glass application.