Preparation of hybrid nanocomposite coatings via sol-gel method for hydrophobic and self-cleaning properties

Hybrid organic-inorganic, hydrophobic and photocatalytic nanocomposite coatings that include Ce doped TiO2 nanoparticles (c-TiO2 NPs) were developed with the sol-gel process. The inclusion of c-TiO2 NPs in hydrophobic coatings was also proven to be able to exhibit self-cleaning performance. Tetraethyl orthosilicate and 3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane were used for hybrid polymer network. The 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane precursor was used to develop hydrophobic behaviors. The c-TiO2 NPs prepared with the sol-gel method were added to the obtained hybrid polymer network at rates of 10%, 20%, 40%, and 60%, and the coating solutions were deposited to the glass substrates by spray method. The obtained nanocomposite coatings were cured at 160 °C. The self-cleaning properties, wetting behaviors, optical characterization, morphological and mechanical properties of the acquired coating surfaces were examined. The adhesions of the obtained films were classified as 5 B, and the pencil and newton hardness were 9H and 2.4 N, respectively. This study acquired photocatalytic hybrid nanocomposite films that are highly transparent and do not have color changes noticeable with the naked eye and that also exhibit oleophobic properties. Thanks to low-curing temperatures, there was no need for any barrier coating between the applied film and the glass for ion diffusion to obtained films.