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New Paint Based On Titanium Nanoparticles Creates Self-Cleaning Surfaces
hypnosec writes: Scientists have created a paint that provides self-cleaning surfaces and can maintain them even after being wiped, scratched, or scuffed. The paint, composed of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, is delivered as a suspension in ethanol containing the chemical perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (abstract). Once the coating is applied to a surface, the ethanol must evaporate for 180 seconds before it is ready for use. Depending on the surface, the coating can be sprayed, dipped, or painted.
It sounds so safe and fully tested, here is an MSDS:
http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/MSDS/MSDS/DisplayMSDSPage.do?country=US&language=en&productNumber=667420&brand=ALDRICH&PageToGoToURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sigmaaldrich.com%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct%2Faldrich%2F667420%3Flang%3Den
STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Reactivity: No data available
Possibility of hazardous reactions: No data available
Conditions to avoid: May form explosive mixtures in air. Direct sources of heat..
TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Acute toxicity: No data available
Inhalation: No data available
Dermal: No data available
Skin corrosion/irritation: No data available
Serious eye damage/eye irritation: No data available
Respiratory or skin sensitisation: No data available
Germ cell mutagenicity: No data available
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Toxicity: No data available
Persistence and degradability: No data available
Bioaccumulative potential: No data available
Mobility in soil: No data available
What could go wrong with all the NO DATA? /sarcasm
For many years you can buy windows or window glass with this nano-particle titanium dioxide applied which made windows self cleaning. It sounds like the paint is just an extension of the earlier technology. Besides, which is harder to clean: your counter top or the outside of a half-dozen windows three stories up on your house? Sure, some windows are easy to clean because either the frames tllt inwards or are removable from inside, but not having to bother to do any cleaning sounds best to me
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. George Orwell
Yes. It is Titanium Dioxide which is what makes white paint white.
I am assuming that the secret sauce here is the perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane. Whatever the hell that is...
APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
Production of nanoparticle titanium dioxide is definitely hazardous. Titanium dioxide dust, present during production, is a possible carcinogen. Nanoparticle titanium dioxide has also been shown to cause genetic damage in mice. That said, I don't think there's evidence that the nanoparticles or powder present in paint pigment and sunscreen, for example, actually cause adverse effects in humans to this point, so it's unclear whether these coatings would be a concern or not.
Nano particles can cross the blood brain barrier. What makes you think that's A-OK? Surely that warrants caution at the least?
Lilly pads and similar have a significant nano-structure, not a coating of nano particles.