Titanium dioxide and silver nanoparticles applied in mineral paints for outdoor and indoor environments

Abstract

Here, we have evaluated water-based paint formulations containing mineral binders, silver nanoparticles, and titanium dioxide. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of dried film samples showed that the paint base was highly porous, and that paint formulations containing 10% and 20% titanium dioxide had different surface morphology. CIELab measurements for methylene blue coloration decay showed that photocatalysis was more efficient for the samples with 20% titanium dioxide. Under ultraviolet radiation, silver nanoparticles contributed to photocatalysis performance. Contact angles proved that titanium dioxide concentration and type defined the wetting characteristics. The samples with 20% TiO₂ displayed porous surfaces with better adsorbance characteristics, higher wettability, and improved heterogeneous photocatalysis.