A Study of Claimed Anti-pollution and Anti-bacterial Properties of Paints and Coatings Containing Nanoform Titanium Dioxide

Abstract

Titanium dioxide TiO2 has been widely used air and water purification since it has several unique characteristics, the most important which pertaining to this paper is its high photocatalysis activity; photocatalysis activity (PCA) is a type of advanced oxidative reactions (AOR). When titanium dioxide is used in coatings and paints, it acts as a self-cleaning for pollutants and bacteria, this self-cleaning property is effective indoors and outdoors. A major user of such paints and coats are hospitals, in their internal walls as well as coating medical tools to reduce bacteria and viruses. This paper studies and assesses the validity of claims of anti-pollution and anti-bacterial properties of a range of paints and coatings containing nanoform of titanium dioxide against the literature. This paper also evaluates the efficacy of some currently available commercial coatings, paints, and other products utilizing TiO2 nanoparticle photocatalysis in terms of anti-pollution and anti-bacterial properties. It also recommends standard analytical tests that could be used for nanoparticles data gathering. Finally, this paper proposes experiment designs – utilizing the factorial experiment design – that if done would potentially improve both claims.