Self-Cleaning Glass: An Invention in the World of the Glass Industry!

With many inventions in glass sectors over the years, several types of glass have been investors’ and customers’ choices. When smart glass and tinted glass had to make to the news, how could we ignore the self-cleaning glass, a glass that is designed to clean itself and keep that extra work of cleaning the dirt from it time and again at bay?

A special hydraulic and photovoltaic coating covers the glass activated using the present UV daylight. This photovoltaic action breaks the dirt and its composition and prevents it from sticking to it. Let’s discuss what is self-cleaning glass.

There are two types of self-cleaning glass - hydrophobic and hydrophilic glass It uses water by rolling droplets that roll down the dirt from the surface to the extreme below and then the sunlight finally vanishes it. One of the most interesting facts about self-cleaning glass is that it has a lotus effect, equipped with a very high water repellency like the lotus flower leaves. The minute water droplets are on it - it goes down.

This technique on the self-cleaning glass prevents inorganic (mineral dirt) from settling on the surface. This way, the windows, doors or partitions, wherever the glass is used, stay clean for a longer duration than usual and make the cleaning process - all the way easier and hassle-free. How does self-cleaning glass work?

The workings of this glass can be understood well by considering the two different types of self-cleaning glass.

Hydrophobic - Hydrophobic is made up of hydro, which means water and phobic, which means fear, which sums up to water fearing glass. A very interesting fact about this glass is that it repels water and does not allow it to settle on the surface.

Hydrophilic - Contrary to what was hydrophobic, this particular glass in the self-cleaning glass segment is water-friendly or say, water-loving. Rather than settling on the surface of the glass like droplets, water is spread like a thin layer.

Since droplets are not there, it becomes easier for dirt to easily move and slope down. How does self-cleaning glass work?

Self-cleaning glass harnesses the power of UV light and water to keep it clean. In the entire process, it utilises two primary mechanisms - photocatalysis and hydrophilicity.

Self-cleaning glass uses photocatalytic action - The glass is coated with a thin layer of titanium dioxide and photocatalytic material. It also harnesses the power of UV light and water to eliminate the dirt and this is due to the titanium dioxide present on the glass. The matter is then broken down into tiny particles through oxidation and keeps the glass clean.

Now let’s talk about the advantages of self-cleaning glass

1) Easier Cleaning Process - Self-cleaning glass is an innovative technological invention in the space of the glass industry. The titanium dioxide coating makes the glass surface hydrophilic which further in real time washes away the dirt.

2) Cost-effective in the Long Run - As mentioned before, the entire process makes cleaning a simple task - less maintenance and a fast process create less cost in the long run.

3) Aesthetically Appealing - Since it is transparent glass most of the time, dirt and residue-free, it not only adds to the overall look of the surroundings but also looks neat and clean.

4) Very Hygienic - The glass surface keeps dirt, grind or any residue at bay, it is safe.

5) Contributes to Sustainability - This glass is used in solar panels and reduces the amount of dirt settlement with a result of gaining maximum output from the solar panels set-up.

So, this was all for today. Keep following our page to get the latest insights from the world of the glass industry.