WETTABILITY OF ANATASE CERAMIC GLAZES

Coatings with catalytic properties, i.e., activated by UV radiation, can form surfaces with a number of special features, based on the ability of such coatings to interact with UV radiation. They also change the surface wettability and, therefore, water deposited naturally or artificially on these surfaces can easily runoff. Some coatings can exhibit the hydrophilic effect, where droplets of water deposited on them decrease their contact angle with the photocatalytic surface after exposure to UV radiation, forming a highly uniform thin film of water, which behaves optically like a clear sheet of glass, avoiding the fogging of the surfaces and, therefore, making self-cleaning surfaces. The wettability of anatase ceramic glazes for self-cleaning tiles developed by the addition of TiO2 in commercial frits was studied. Glazes were developed by adding anatase to commercial ceramic frits as an agent of photocatalysis. The glazes were coated on ceramic tiles, which were fired at 800-1000 C. The formulations were characterised, and the wettability was determined by measuring the water contact angle. Microstructural analysis (SEM) showed that the anatase particles can disperse properly in the glaze matrix. Contact angle measurement shows the clear influence of the glaze type and sintering temperature on the wettability characteristics of the obtained layer.