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

Purpose: This 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/approach: The 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. Findings: The 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/implications: Findings will provide an infrastructure support for the building glass to enhance building's energy efficiency, cleaning performance and friendly environment. Practical implications: This 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 implications: The 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/value: The novel method to develop self-cleaning coating with fog-resistance using simple synthesis process and fabrication method for building glass application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]