Photocatalytic Coatings for Environmental and Heritage Applications

Photocatalytic coatings employ semiconducting materials—most commonly titanium dioxide nanoparticles—that, under illumination, produce reactive oxygen species capable of degrading organic pollutants, inhibiting microbial growth and conferring self-cleaning behaviour. In environmental applications, such coatings mitigate airborne contaminants (for example nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds), facilitate wastewater treatment through dye and micro-pollutant degradation, and enhance the performance of air-filtration systems. In heritage conservation, tailored photocatalytic nanocoatings protect stone, mortar and concrete substrates by preventing soiling, graffiti adhesion and biodeterioration while maintaining visual and structural integrity. Key developments concentrate on extending activity into the visible spectrum, optimising nanoparticle dispersion within compatible consolidant matrices, and establishing realistic laboratory and field assessment protocols. By integrating materials science, environmental engineering and conservation practice, photocatalytic coatings now offer multifunctional solutions that support sustainable urban environments and the long-term preservation of cultural assets worldwide.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Photocatalytic Coatings for Environmental and Heritage Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in photocatalytic coatings for environmental and heritage applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Photocatalysis: A light-driven process in which a semiconductor catalyst generates reactive species to induce chemical transformations.

Nanocomposite: A multiphase material comprising nanoscale particles embedded within a continuous matrix to enhance functional properties.

Band gap: The energy difference between valence and conduction bands that determines a semiconductor’s light absorption threshold.

Consolidant: A treatment applied to porous substrates such as stone or concrete to strengthen and stabilise their structure.

Hydrophilicity: The affinity of a surface to attract and retain water, often improving pollutant removal through washing.

References

1. Developing inorganic coatings with nano-TiO2 for heritage concrete and assessing their self-cleaning performance by a new laboratory test. Construction and Building Materials (2024).
2. Synthesis and Characterization of Dy2O3@TiO2 Nanocomposites for Enhanced Photocatalytic and Electrocatalytic Applications. ACS Engineering Au (2024).
3. Removal of graffiti paint from construction materials coated with TiO2-based photocatalysts. Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2024).