Assessment of environmental performance of TiO2 nanoparticles coated self-cleaning float glass

In recent years, superhydrophilic and photocatalytic self-cleaning nanocoatings have been widely used in the easy-to-clean surfaces field. In the building sector, self-cleaning glasses were one of the first nanocoating applications. These products are based on the photocatalytic property of a thin layer of TiO2 nanoparticles deposited on the surface of any kind of common glass. When exposed to UV radiation, TiO2 nanoparticles react with the oxygen and water molecules adsorbed on their surface to produce radicals leading to oxidative species. These species are able to reduce or even eliminate airborne pollutants and organic substances deposited on the material’s surface. To date, TiO2 nanoparticles benefits are substantiated, however, their ecological and human health risk is still under analysis. The present work studies the ecodesign of industrial scale up of TiO2 nanoparticles self-cleaning coated float glass production performed by LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) methodology and applies new human toxicity indicators into the impact assessment stage. Production, in particular the TiO2 nanoparticles application, is the life cycle phase that mainly contributes to the total damage. In according with ecodesign approach, the production choices carried out have led to optimize the environmental burdens.