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Self
cleaning materials
The initial aesthetic qualities of new buildings often deteriorate
due to attack from environmental aggressors. Occurring in both urban
and rural environments, this visual deterioration is rarely appreciated
and is caused by atmospheric or biological pollution (i.e. car fumes
that coat building exteriors with grime, or moss and fungi that
stain roofs).
Saint-Gobain Recherche has developed building materials that prevent
surface grime from building up …, and in addition, are self-cleaning
! These materials are covered with an invisible coating of catalyzer
which destroys the organic dirt as it is deposited. When exposed
to daylight, this coating generates free radicals at the surface
of the materials. These radicals destroy the soots and microorganisms
that come into contact with them. Titanium oxide (also used to create
an UV screen in suntan lotions) is the preferred catalyst for this
application.
This chemical phenomenon, called photocatalysis, is similar to photosynthesis.
It ensures these "intelligent" construction materials
stay durably clean, and even purifies the air that comes into contact
with them.
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