A review of various self-cleaning surfaces, durability and functional applications on building exteriors

Extensive research is being conducted on self-cleaning surfaces inspired by biological phenomena, owing to their remarkable surface properties. Recently, the utilization of self-cleaning surfaces as innovative building materials has been increasingly prevalent. This approach offers a low-carbon, cost-effective, and eco-friendly solution for maintaining the appearance and cleanliness of building exteriors and significantly enhancing the durability of building structures. This paper centers on the subject of self-cleaning surfaces within buildings and delineates current research trends and focal points. Furthermore, the self-cleaning effects induced by special properties such as photocatalysis, superhydrophilicity, superhydrophobicity, and superamphiphobicity were analyzed and summarized in terms of applicability in the service of building exteriors. The mechanisms behind the self-cleaning abilities resulting from these different properties were also elucidated. This article also provides a comprehensive overview of the durability of self-cleaning surfaces under various external factors, including potential physical and chemical erosion of building exteriors. Moreover, it examines other potential applications for these self-cleaning surfaces, and the supplementary functionality and potential value of self-cleaning surfaces on building exteriors are analyzed. Finally, the limitations and potential for improvement in the application of self-cleaning technology to building exteriors were identified concerning preparation and synthesis, performance evaluation, mechanism research, and practical implementation.