Recent Progress in Self-Cleaning Materials with Different Suitable Applications

Abstract

Self-cleaning properties have received significant attention for the importance of their potential. Coatings at Nano-scales offer possibilities of using materials for self-cleaning surfaces. Recent efforts have begun to focus on the kinds of materials including metals, semiconductors and polymers. Such materials can have enormous potential in only a few applications. Moreover, the production of these materials requires high costs with low photo activity. In this regard, TiO₂ and its derived materials have shown acceptable and effective suggestions for this application. Moreover, the mechanism of self-cleaning has been explained by the effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic can have many applications in different areas like water purification, microfluidics and photovoltaic. In this review, the application of self-cleaning in solar cells and environment as well as TiO₂ derived materials and their applications in water management have been briefly illustrated. In addition, it has been explained that a huge number of self-cleaning materials, applications and improvement in utilities have been essential. In short, we have conducted a comprehensive review of the new approach and to mention numerous materials with hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties would be promising for most environmental concerns. Bio-inspired surface respond in nature through hydrophobic (Cicada Wing, Butterfly Wing, Lotus Leaf, Rice Leaf) and hydrophilic (Fish Scale, Snail Shell, Shark Skin) properties was divided in 4 and 3 respectively. Anti reflective coatings with self-cleaning properties have drowned considerable attention for both their basic appearances and vast applied usages. Antireflective coatings with self-cleaning properties have been considered because of their fascinating features and vast diversity of empirical uses.