Producing photoactive, transparent and hydrophobic SiO2-crystalline TiO2 nanocomposites at ambient conditions with application as self-cleaning coatings

- SiO2-crystalline TiO2 photoactive materials have been successfully synthesized.
- These materials meet requirements as self-cleaning and hydrophobic coatings for stone.
- In this synthesis, oxalic acid produces anatase crystals at ambient conditions.
- Oxalic acid promotes the simultaneous sol-gel transition for Ti and Si alkoxides.
- Oxalic acid also increases the photoactivity by acting as a hole-scavenger.