Super-hydrophobic photocatalytic coatings utilizing apatite-based photocatalyst

We fabricated superhydrophobic photocatalytic coatings utilizing apatite based photocatalyst (TiHAP) and hydrophobic organic polymer. The fabricated composite films showed superhydrophobicity, oil repellency, photocatalytic activity, and stability against the sunlight. It was also revealed that the photocatalytic decomposition of polymer binder is strongly suppressed by utilizing TiHAP and that FAS-treatment of TiHAP enhances the stability of the composite against the sunlight. TiHAP is suggested to be applicable for superhydrophobic self-cleaning coatings combined with hydrophobic polymer toward a practical usage. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.