Photocatalytically-active and photocontrollable coatings based on titania-loaded hybrid sol-gel films

The photocatalytically-active coatings were obtained by immobilizing titania nanoparticles into a sol-gel-derived SiOx:ZrOx matrix. The resultant hybrid films show high photocatalytic, photobiocide and excellent corrosion protection properties which exhibit no degradation during the course of long-term irradiation with UV light. The possibility of a UV-induced opening of titania-based polyelectrolyte containers embedded into SiOx:ZrOx film is also demonstrated that opens fresh opportunities in developing photocontrollable coatings capable to release encapsulated chemical agents tinder illumination.