Multificon

Highly effective multi-functional nano-discoveries for decontaminating volatile substances and protecting porous substrates

Links:

Broadcast during the Navarra Televisión SINAI Space
Report on Navarra Capital: "El revestimiento líquido que convierte los edificios en purificadores de aire"

PUBLICACIONES

Artículos científicos

Tena-Santafé, V.M.; Fernández, J.M.; Fernández-Acevedo, C.; Oroz-Mateo, T.; Navarro-Blasco, Í.; Álvarez, J.I. Development of Photocatalytic Coatings for Building Materials with Bi2O3-ZnO Nanoparticles. Catalysts 2023, 13, 1412. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13111412

SABER MÁS DEL PROYECTO

The primary goal of the MULTIFICON project is air purification. Specifically, the goal is passive purification using existing structures, like building facades, monuments, etc. and built elements in general. Protective coatings will be applied on them that provides hydrophobic properties (for water and humidity resistance), alongside photocatalyzer materials that, thanks to sunlight, decontaminate the atmosphere and create self-cleaning properties to thus keep the material clean for a longer time.

Among the results of the MULTIFICON project, one highlight is obtaining a formulation that includes all the properties being pursued with a single product, in other words, hydrophobic protection of the substrate alongside the active material for purifying the air. In addition, a formulation was prepared that is very easy to apply using an air powered spray gun, which means it can be applied to already existing stone structures.

The greatest challenge overcome in the project was the need to make the nanoparticles compatible with the coating. To those ends, the use of different dispersants, doses, etc. was studied until a stable combination was achieved where, despite the nanoparticles being put inside the coating, they had the decontaminating effect sought after, and at the same time they retained the protective water, and in some cases oil, resistant properties. Furthermore, it should be noted that it was possible to prepare the formulation at large scale (200 litres), which is an important step towards subsequent commercialisation.

It was possible to achieve purifications with very high percentages because of several intermediate successes, like preparing the nanoparticles, studying their behaviour as dust, including super-hydrophobic formulations, optimising the formulation for easy application, etc., which made the MULTIFICON project an all around success..