Effect of Plasma Treatment on Self-Cleaning Features of Acrylic Paint/TiO[sub.2]-Coated Surfaces for Environmental Pollutant Removal

• Published in: Catalysts 2024-11, Vol.14 (11)
• Main Authors: Bilić, Andrijana, Armaković, Sanja J, Šiljegović, Mirjana V, Kisić, Milica, Šćepanović, Maja, Grujić-Brojčin, Mirjana, Simić, Nataša, Gavanski, Lazar, Armaković, Stevan, Savanović, Maria M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum foil; Coatings; Plasma physics; Raman spectroscopy; X-ray spectroscopy
• ISSN: 2073-4344; 2073-4344
• DOI: 10.3390/catal14110799

This study investigates the characterization and performance of self-cleaning TiO[sub.2] surfaces synthesized through a one-step preparation process, followed by enhancement via plasma treatment. The process involved coating aluminum foil with an acrylic paint mixture containing nanoparticles of different mass compositions and subsequent plasma treatment using a continuous plasma arc. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the morphology of the treated surfaces, showing an increase in surface area of plasma-treated materials. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed changes in oxygen and titanium in acrylic paint/TiO[sub.2] surfaces as the TiO[sub.2] content increased, indicating successful TiO[sub.2] incorporation. Raman spectroscopy showed that the bulk structure of self-cleaning acrylic paints is mainly preserved after plasma treatment. Alternating current impedance spectroscopy assessed that plasma treatment reduced agglomeration and increased active sites, especially for the acrylic paint/TiO[sub.2] surfaces with 0.5 mg/cm[sup.3] TiO[sub.2]. The contact angle measurements indicated that plasma treatment enhanced the superhydrophobic characteristics and potential self-cleaning abilities of produced acrylic paint/TiO[sub.2] surfaces. The efficacy of these plasma-treated surfaces in self-cleaning was evaluated by testing their performance against puddle sediment and automotive oil samples. The study demonstrated that plasma treatment positively impacted the self-cleaning ability of the acrylic paint/TiO[sub.2] surfaces, particularly those with 0.5 mg/cm[sup.3] TiO[sub.2]. This enhancement was attributed to the formation of functional groups, improved water repellency, and possible increases in surface area, which collectively contribute to the sustainable self-cleaning properties of the treated surfaces.