The measurements on various materials represented a starting point towards the strategy of pigment protection in this project. The influence of SiO2 addition into the TiO2 - on its structure and, consequently, on its photocatalytic activity - was investigated by means of XRPD, FE-SEM, TEM, XPS, FT-IR and BET analysis. Doping titania with silica also confirmed a SiO2 retarding effect on anatase-to-rutile phase transformation and on crystallite growth. Photocatalytic activity of the samples was assessed by means of FT-IR spectroscopy. The results showed not only that rutile is a good photocatalyst, even at 900 °C, but also that photocatalytic activity of doped powders fired at this temperature is excellent.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1677671
The photocatalytic activity of a nano-anatase-containing paint has been studied. It was found that after a certain period of initial UV irradiation, the photocatalytic activity of such a paint significantly increases. To understand the underlying mechanisms, the pigment volume concentrations (PVCs)were varied in different ways, e.g. by varying the content of the inorganic filler, or by adjusting the content of the polymeric binder. The results were compared with the photocatalytic activity of a commercially available paint. The formulations which exhibit a good compromise between photocatalytic activity and other essential paint properties are discussed. The effect of relative humidity on the photocatalytic activity was also measured and is commented upon.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1817447
A model organic pigment (b copper phthalocyanine) was encapsulated by silica using water glass as a precursor. It is shown that the thickness, porosity anduniformity of silica shells (coatings) around individual pigment particles depend significantly on pH and temperature of synthesis. It is further demonstrated that the obtained silica shells can serve as an efficient protection against the highly reactive products of photocatalysis. The degree of protection depends not only on the thickness of silica shells but also on their porosity.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1856615
We developed a new experimental approach based on appropriate combination of optical and electron microscopy with elemental analysis for quick but reliable identification of pigments in diferent coatings. This method is very useful, because it gives direct information not only about distribution of pigments but also about other components The method was presented for different cases and also different historical pigments
COBISS.SI-ID: 1688423