Self cleaning mixtures that use photoactive agents with varying oxides, along with mixing the photoactive agents with carbon, noble metals and cobalt phosphide that inhibit the growth of algae are disclosed. The agents include concentrations of approximately at least 5% to approximately 50% TiO.sub.n1, WO.sub.n2, X--WO.sub.n2, or X--TiO.sub.n1, where 1.8.ltoreq.n1.ltoreq.2, and where 2.2.ltoreq.n2.ltoreq.3, and where X can be one of carbon, a noble metal, and cobalt phosphide. The agents can be combined together, and/or each agent can be combined with various coatings such as but not limited to a cement or a polymer binder. The coatings and agents can be applied to surfaces that are exposed to water such as but not limited to an aquarium, liners on the inner walls of swimming pools, drinking water tanks and the like. Further, applications can include using the novel surfacing agent as part of a solar water heater for both a home and a pool, wherein in the latter application the heater is connected between pool pumps and the pool so that when light is absorbed inside the heater, the surfacing agent becomes active for inhibiting the growth of algae. The photoactive agent can also be applied as a non-toxic algae-retardant marine paint. The invention can be used to inhibit the growth of other undesirable substances such as fungus, bacteria and mold.
Inexpensive, and easy to use self cleaning mixtures that use photoactive agents such as titanium dioxide(TiO.sub.2) and tungsten oxide(WO.sub.3) along with mixing the agents with co-catalysts such as carbon(C), Fe(iron), Cu(copper), Ni(nickel) and CO.sub.2 P. In addition, the co-catalyst loading can include up to approximately 5% carbon to maximize the inhibiting algae growth. The mixtures can be used to inhibit various growth organisms such as but not limited to algae, fungus, bacteria and mold. The agents can be combined together, and/or each agent can be combined with various coatings, such as but not limited to a cement or a polymer binder. The coatings can be applied to surfaces that are exposed to water such as but not limited to an aquarium, liners on the inner walls of swimming pools, drinking water tanks, and the like. Additionally, the coatings can be used as surfacing agent in contact with water within solar water heaters, piping adjacent to pool pumps, and the like. Additionally, the photoactive agent can be used as a non-toxic algae-retardant marine paint. Furthermore, the coatings can be applied to surfaces such as bathroom fixtures, toilets, bathtubs, sinks, and used on tiles in kitchens, bathrooms, and the like.
The present invention provides a coating composition for substrates. The coating composition of the present invention generally includes a silicate binder and a plurality of photocatalytic particles. The silicate binder functions as a bonding agent to establish the coating on the substrate. A plurality of photocatalyst particles are dispersed throughout the silicate binder. The particles are included in an amount that provides sufficient distribution of the particles in the resulting coating. The incorporation of the present invention onto substrates prevents algal growth on building materials utilizing the coated substrates.
The present invention provides a coating composition for substrates. The coating composition of the present invention generally includes a silicate binder and a plurality of photocatalytic particles. The silicate binder functions as a bonding agent to establish the coating on the substrate. A plurality of photocatalyst particles are dispersed throughout the silicate binder. The particles are included in an amount that provides sufficient distribution of the particles in the resulting coating. The incorporation of the present invention onto substrates prevents algal growth on building materials utilizing the coated substrates.
A device and a method for delivering UVA light to the mouth in which a photocatalytic agent is distributed in the mouth and a UVA light source is located contiguously to the head of the device so that the photocatalytic agent distributed in the mouth is efficiently activated by UVA light produced by the device. The UVA light delivery device of the invention may be, inter alia, a toothbrush, a tongue scraper, an interdental toothbrush, a denture brush, a flossing device, a dental hand tool, or a wand adapted exclusively to applying UVA light to photocatalyst coated surfaces.
