Mexico.
Researchers from the nanotechnology career of the Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ) designed a self-cleaning coating based on nanostructured components that aims to protect surfaces of houses, buildings or historical monuments, as well as prevent the entry of pathogens into homes by taking advantage of solar energy.
The research professor of the Nanotechnology area of the UAQ, Karen Esquivel Escalante, explained that it is a coating similar to a paint that, due to the effect of sunlight and humidity of the environment, eventually cleans any stain that is adhered to a surface, which can be porous or smooth, natural stone, cement or mortar.
"This project also includes research professors Eduardo Arturo Elizalde Peña and Carlos Guzmán Martínez, all of us from the nanotechnology career of the Faculty of Engineering of the UAQ. This coating is a nanostructured material that is synthesized in the laboratory based on titanium dioxide (TiO2) and modified with different metals to give it a specific hue – if the client wants it – and as it is modified, we change its properties so that it is activated with sunlight, "he said.
The researcher pointed out that this self-cleaning coating also offers a barrier of protection against pathogens found in the environment, which would improve the conditions of air quality inside homes, especially when there are respiratory problems among its inhabitants or people who are prone to infections.
"This self-cleaning coating offers, in addition to the elimination of any stain generated by contamination or vandalism, protection against microorganisms that stick on surfaces; we are talking about pathogenic microorganisms, viruses such as influenza, coliforms or even fecals. Something that should also be noted is that this coating can be applied on surfaces located in areas where there is a high concentration of moisture, in which mold and algae are generated on the walls, "he added.
For his part, Professor Eduardo Elizalde, stressed that another of the objectives of the design of this coating was to contribute to the aesthetics of constructions in cities, so we work on surfaces that have historically been used in the constructions not only of buildings or houses room, but also historical monuments that due to weather or pollution issues -mainly the smog produced by cars-, they are usually affected.
With information from Conacyt.
