Photoactive and colored anodic oxides on titanium for architectural and design Applications

摘要

Anodizing processes performed on titanium can lead to the formation of oxides with thicknesses ranging from a few nanometers to half micrometer, either amorphous or containing crystal phases, showing a wide range of interference colors with different hues and saturations: the results of this process strictly depend on the parameters imposed. Nanocrystalline oxides also present peculiar properties activated by UV light: these oxides act as substrates for photocatalytic reactions, and at the same time can undergo surface changes that modify their hydrophilic state, which lead to the formation of self-cleaning surfaces. Therefore, the use of anodized titanium can add to the aesthetical side granted by its fascinating colors a more practical purpose conferred by the photoactivated self-cleaning properties, which involve lower maintenance efforts for indoor and outdoor cleansing of the surfaces.