Technology Opportunities

Molecular Layer Deposition for the formation of photocatalytic films

Highlights

• Photocatalytic films enable the provision of self-cleaning, decontaminating, and liquid repellent or slippery surfaces.
• Light energy absorbed by these films causes the breakup of organic material such as dirt on glass windows; organisms, body fluids and tissue on medical devices; and contaminants on filtration membranes.
• New method more robust, efficient, and higher activity compared to other TiO2 films.
• Surfaces coated by the film demonstrate substantially lower adhesion towards different kind of liquids.
• Simple coating methods enable flow of high viscosity liquids on surfaces, pipes and vessels without sticking or contaminating the treated surfaces.

Our Innovation

Production of functional thin films that can function as self-cleaning, decontaminating, and liquid repellent (super-slippery) nanometric films by Molecular Layer Deposition.

Crude oil and milk droplets roll off glass slides coated with slippery coating (left) but stick to
fluorosilane (teflon-like) film (right).

Key Features

• Simple method enables much closer control over catalyst structure and composition
• ~Five-fold increase in activity compared to TiO2 film
• Compatible with glass processing
• No need for nano-structuring of the surface
• No need for covalent surface modification
• Robust, controlled at molecular level
• Can be used for coating on glass, metal, plastic, paper, depending on the applicaiton

Development Milestones

• Process was optimized for solid surfaces and decomposition of organic materials was proved to perform better than conventional TiO2
• Developed a unique surface treatment that converts the films to slippery coatings
• Demonstrated the ability of the slippery coatings for repelling high viscosity, sticky and contaminant liquids such as crude oil

The Opportunity

• Photocatalytic films for decontamination of pollutants in air and water
• Non-sticky slippery surfaces that repel contaminants
• Applicable to an enormous range of applications, from fuel transport, to anti-graffiti coatings, to antifouling coatings for marine vessels.

Selected applications:

• Water purification
• Anti-fouling surfaces for optical components operating in demanding environments
• Anti-coagulant treatments for blood-carrying devices
• Anti-adhesive surfaces for general stain-resistance
• Surface treatments for weather-resistant apparel, solar panels
• Reduced-drag industrial/commercial piping for energy-efficient pumping
• Low-drag, self-healing surfaces for water/air vehicles
• Protection of electronics boards against liquid damage