Studying Polyacrylic Latex Coatings with Self-Cleaning Properties

A transparent, industrial and cost effective coating with self-cleaning properties for indoor and outdoor applications based on a water-based polyacrylic emulsion was prepared using TiO2/polyaniline nanocomposite.

TiO2/polyaniline nanocomposites were produced in various TiO2 to polyaniline ratios and used to modify polyacrylic coatings. The nanocomposites and additive contained polyacrylic coatings were specified by use of FT-IR, UV–Vis, SEM, and XRD methods.

Best result with 3 wt% of nanocomposite

The additive contained polyacrylic coatings showed better hydrophilicity, water resistivity, Vis and UV lights absorption, surface photodecolorisation of contaminants and antibacterial property in comparison with the pristine polyacrylic coating. The coatings modified with nanocomposites showed more hydrophilic surface with the water contact angle of <10° compared to the unmodified coating with the water contact angle of 68°. According to the results, polyacrylic coating containing 3 wt% of TiO2/polyaniline nanocomposite (100:1 ratio of TiO2/polyaniline) was the best coating formulation because of its high UV and visible light absorption, stability in aqueous environment, and high efficiency in the surface photodecolorisation of organic contaminant and hydrophilicity under visible light illumination.