Development of new transparent self-cleaning and –sterilizing coatings based on

photocatalytic nano-particles (PCNP).

coatings

The RPC PHONAS integrates 4

complementary Research Projects (RP) with

a high mutual interdependence. The overall

goal is to develop the scientific and

technological basis for new transparent selfcleaning

and –sterilizing coatings based on

photocatalytic nano-particles (PCNP).

PHONAS combines high level expertise in

chemistry, physics, material science,

processing, mechanical engineering and

characterisation on the RTD side, with

industrial competences in the fields of

laminated furniture panels, sanitary

installations, stones, cleaning & coating and

machinery. PHONAS seeks to build up within

4 years a genuine Austrian competence for self-cleaning and –sterilizing PCNP-coatings,

both in scientific, and technological terms. The economic relevance stems from the

generation of new, competitive and value-adding coatings that can be deposited on different

materials including polymers, for the purpose of self-cleaning and -sterilisation. By adding

value to otherwise inactive surfaces, coated products will have the potential to gain

exceptional profits.

The PHONAS consortium is made up of 4 RTD partners and 9 participants from industry with

a significant number of SMEs. Within the 4 complementary Research Projects the scientific

objectives are pursued in the RP’s JANPAR and BANPA:

surface functionalisation (“Janus particles”), so that the photocatalytic action can be

oriented in a way not to attack the substrate and/or the matrix containing organic

constituents. These new particle should also have the ability for self-assembling. The

outcome will be transferred to the applied RPs as input for the technology

development.

effect can be employed for indoor applications. Tuning the absorption band gap will

be accomplished by control of the particle size and by the design of composite

particles. This work will be carried out in close co-operation with JANPAR. The results

will be conveyed to the applied RPs.

Built upon the contributions from the scientific RPs the technological objectives are pursued

in the applied RPs TESET and TEPCO:

2

quality PCNPs by a wet chemistry precipitation process, which is suited for up-scaling

to an industrial level. It will be combined with a coating unit to form a “tandem-device”

on pilot scale level. It will be optimized to process the new PCNPs originating from

the scientific RPs.

scale PCNP-coatings with superior self-cleaning or –sterilizing properties, while

maintaining secondary properties like hardness or wear resistance. Selected model

substrates from industry based on polymers, metals and glass will be coated, tested

and optimized for subsequent up-scaling and exploitation. As an alternative for

metals, PCNPs will be embedded in a metallic matrix by a galvanic process

(dispersion coatings).

Institute of Materials Chemistry; University of Advanced Study Wiener Neustadt for Economy and

Technology GmbH; ECHEM Center of Competence in Applied Electrochemistry

GmbH; Artweger GmbH & Co; Rupert Fertinger GmbH; Poschacher Natursteinwerke GmbH & Co KG;

Engineered nanoProducts Germany GmbH (Austria); Hochdruckprodukte Maschinen- und

Apparatebau Gesellschaft m.b.H. (HDP); Profactor Research and Solutions GmbH

GmbH-ARC; 2444 Seibersdorf; Tel.: +43-664-8251293; +43(0)505503351; Fax.: +43-(0)50550-3366;