For most
of us, we don’t look forward to cleaning windows.
In fact, the average homeowner only cleans their
windows approximately every two to three years.
For all of us, who grudgingly clean our windows, there
is a new type of window on the market that cleans
themselves when exposed to sunlight, removing such
things as dirt, tree resin, fingerprints, etc.
The technology behind these wonderful windows is based
on nanotechnology.
Self-cleaning
windows have only appeared on the market in the past
two years. The first self-cleaning windows were
introduced were Pilkington’s Activ, these were
followed by PPG Industries’ SunClean glass.
However, as interest in these windows and the products
produced by these two companies increased, more and
more window companies will accept and produce
self-cleaning windows.
Self-cleaning
windows owe their amazing “cleaning” property to a
coating of titanium dioxide (TiO2). TiO2 is a
white pigment known as titanium white, or pigment
white 6, and is used in such products as paints,
paper, plastics, and toothpaste. When used on
window glass, a very thin layer of TiO2 is integrated
onto the glass surface while the glass is still in the
molten state, so that TiO2 will not wear from the
window.
This very
thin layer or titanium dioxide has two benefits to the
window. First, it as a photocatalysis, which
means that in the presence of UV radiation, titanium
dioxide increases the oxidation process, which breaks
down organic material. The broken down dirt, and
crude is then easier to remove.
The second
benefit of titanium dioxide is that it reduces the
amount of surface tension of water, which hits the
surface of the window glass surface. This causes
the water to run in a sheet off the glass. As
the water runs off the window, it washes away the
loosened dirt, dust, and debris. This means that
now to clean your windows all you have to haul out is
the hose to simple wash off the dirt. These
windows dry without water spots or streaking.
However,
unfortunately the titanium dioxide is only applied to
the exterior surface of the window, so you will still
have to clean the inside of your windows. Oh,
well, at least half of the job is done for us.
