Herein, the hydrophobic and self-cleaning properties of three different fabric surfaces have been evaluated after applying titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanofinishes. The nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel techniques and were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods. The ultra-refined particles were applied over ...

Influenced by different cations in the self-assembly of chiral units, achiral (UOC-NH4, UOC-Ca) and chiral (UOC-Na) uranyl-organic compounds were obtained from achiral reactants. The photocatalytic activity of UOC-Na was also investigated.

Novel TiO2 mesocrystalline microrods with unique hexagonal structure were prepared via a facial thermal method. Their photocatalytic performance under UV irradiation was much higher than that of the Degussa P25 benchmark, one of the best commercial polycrystalline TiO2 photocatalyst. The hexagonal microrods were formed through self-directed self-assembly within intermediate scaffolds.

A facile and feasible oil-in-water self-assembly approach was developed to synthesize flower-like Ag@AgBr/Bi₂O₂CO₃ micro-composites. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated through methylene blue degradation under visible light irradiation. Compared to Bi₂O₂CO₃, flower-like Ag@AgBr/Bi₂O₂CO₃ micro-composites show enhanced photocatalytic activities. In addition, results indica...

As a kind of highly effective, low‐cost, and stable photocatalysts, TiO2 has received substantial public and scientific attention. However, it can only be activated under ultraviolet light irradiation due to its wide bandgap, high recombination, and weak separation efficiency of carriers. Doping is an effective method to extend the light absorption to the visible light region. In this chapter, ...

Superhydrophobic self-cleaning surfaces are based on the surface micro/nanomorphologies; however, such surfaces are mechanically weak and stop functioning when exposed to oil. We have created an ethanolic suspension of perfluorosilane-coated titanium dioxide nanoparticles that forms a paint that can be sprayed, dipped, or extruded onto both hard and soft materials to create a self-cleaning surf...

Animals using adhesive pads to climb smooth surfaces face the problem of keeping their pads clean and functional. Here, a self-cleaning mechanism is proposed whereby soiled feet would slip on the surface due to a lack of adhesion but shed particles in return. Our study offers an in situ quantification of self-cleaning performance in fibrillar adhesives, using the dock beetle as a model organism...

Photocatalytic water splitting is a natural but challenging chemical way of harnessing renewable solar power to generate clean hydrogen energy. Here we report a potential hydrogen-evolving photochemical molecular device based on a self-assembled ruthenium-palladium heterometallic coordination cage, incorporating multiple photo- and catalytic metal centres. The photophysical properties are inves...

In this study, anatase titania was utilized to prepare a durable photocatalytic paint with substantially enhanced photoactivity towards NO oxidation. Consequently, alleviate the choking effect of and incorporate self-cleaning properties, parent modified Al(OH)3 number organosilane (tetraethyl orthosilicate, propyltrimethoxysilane, triethoxy(octadecyl)silane, trimethylchlorosilane) coatings. A f...