Applying nanocoatings to sanitary surfaces significantly reduces cleaning costs and improves occupant health across an number of industries.
Market drivers
Photocatalytic nanocoatings provide air and surface eliminate biocontamination caused by Listeria, Salmonella, E.coli, Swine Flu (H1N1), Bird Flu (H5N1), SARS and mould spores. Photocatalytic oxidizers can be installed directly onto products during the manufacturing process. Nanocoating treated surfaces are anti-microbial, remove odours, are self-cleaning and air-purifying, and anti-fogging.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), from sources such as building materials and furnishings, release pollutants continuously. Other sources, related to activities carried out in the home, release pollutants intermittently, such as: smoking; the use of unvented or malfunctioning stoves, furnaces or space heaters; paint and paint strippers; and the use of cleaning products and pesticides in housekeeping. VOC concentrations can remain in the air for long periods after some of these activities. Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or possibly years later. Immediate effects may show up after single exposure or repeated exposures. These effects may include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headaches; dizziness; and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the person’s exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified. Symptoms of diseases, including asthma, may also show up soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants. Other health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred, or only after long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal. It is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in a building, even if symptoms are not noticeable, as it is one of the top five health concerns in the U.S. according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Performance benefits
Nanocoatings enhance the performance and quality of glass substrates, giving more functionality and aesthetic value. They reduce the contact area between water and surface to a minimum and decrease the forces of adhesion. They add new functional properties to a number of surfaces, for example, preventing lime scale in the bathroom, keeping windows and sanitary surfaces clean as well as providing algae and moss resistance on outdoor furniture.
They have been widely applied, especially in Asia on glass surfaces in sanitary areas (showers, mirrors) and glazed ceramic surfaces (toilets, sinks, glazed tiles). As well as displaying strong hydrophobicity, strong anti-stick properties and excellent easy-clean performance on contamination and lime-scale, other properties include:
• Food-safe (inert).
• Invisible to the human eye (coating thickness: 100-150 nm).
• Permanent (UV-stable, huge abrasion-resistance).
• Resistant to temperature change.
• Breathable.
• Simple application (do-it-yourself).
• Chemical-resistant (except for pH value of 13 or 14).
Anti-microbial nanocoatings allow for improved sanitation of food contact surfaces in processing. Surfaces with the capability to prevent microbiological contamination (salmonella, listeria, legionnella) are of great interest to the food industry and nanoscale anti-microbial, easy-clean and self-cleaning coatings can enhance sanitary security in food preparation and processing.
Commercialization
Nanocoatings with self-cleaning, anti-bacterialism hygienic and scratch resistant properties have been added to household ceramics, which include floor and wall tiles, countertop ceramics and sanitary ware products.
Easy-clean coatings have been applied to sanitary surfaces in bathrooms, toilets, kitchens or window panes, where frequent contact with water, oil and dirt can quickly soil surfaces. The coatings contain functionalized nanoparticles such as nanosilver that impart a bacteria-free surface which is anti-fouling & anti-algae.
Nanocoatings have also been applied mainly on a trial basis to the food processing industry on food contact surfaces. Anti-microbial nanosilver can be employed in anti-spoilage food packaging and food contact surfaces. Self-cleaning coatings have also been applied to food surface worktops, milk-tankers, floors and fridges.
