Life cycle assessment of nanoTiO2 coated self-cleaning float glass

In recent years superhydrophilic and photocatalytic selfcleaning coatings have been used mainly in easy-to-clean surfaces field. Self-cleaning glasses are one of the first building nanocoating applications. These products are based on the photocatalytic property of a thin layer of TiO2 deposited at the surface of the glass. When exposed to UVA radiation, TiO2 reacts with the oxygen and water molecules present in the atmosphere to produce free radicals leading to oxidative species. These species are able to reduce the concentrations of airborne pollutants and organic substances deposited on the materials surface. The present study concerns the ecodesign of industrial scale up of nanoTiO2 self-cleaning coated float glass production performed by LCA (life Cycle Assessment) methodology. This work is a part of a regional Italian project named “ARACNE”. The main aim of this project is to study and ecodesign eco-friendly building materials with higher technological properties.