The self-cleaning effect driven by light energy has become one of the most promising methods for developing self-cleaning coatings in modern times. This technology utilizes ultraviolet light from sunlight to trigger a decomposition and superhydrophilic reaction on surface contaminants, effectively enabling the coating to clean itself. These innovative solutions have already found successful applications in various fields such as automotive, glass, ceramics, and lighting. Fuzhou Minggu Nanotechnology Co., Ltd., in collaboration with institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has successfully applied this technology to exterior wall coatings, achieving self-cleaning protection. They have also developed a comprehensive performance evaluation system and established practical construction methods.
Exterior wall coatings are widely favored for their vibrant colors, flexible design options, and ability to showcase diverse architectural styles. They are easy to apply, lightweight, and safe, especially with the growing emphasis on energy-efficient buildings and thermal insulation. As a result, they have become the primary choice for exterior wall decoration in China.
However, one major challenge remains: the poor stain resistance of many exterior coatings. This issue significantly limits their widespread use and application. With increasing urbanization and rising air pollution, the problem becomes even more evident. Coatings like elastic paints, real stone paints, and embossed coatings often struggle with dirt accumulation, making them difficult to clean. While some manufacturers try to address this by using hydrophobic materials (the so-called "Lotus effect"), the results are often unsatisfactory. The main reason is that hydrophobic surfaces tend to be lipophilic, which makes them more prone to attracting organic pollutants from the air, such as NOx and SOx. Additionally, these treatments are often costly, technically complex, and not always practical in product design.
Minggu’s self-cleaning exterior wall coating offers a groundbreaking solution. Laboratory tests, following national standards, show that the stain resistance of elastic and embossed coatings can be reduced from 25% to around 10%, improving performance by over 60%. For other types like pure acrylic and real stone paint, the improvement is about 40%. Field tests under natural exposure conditions (3–9 months) confirm that high-grade silicone-acrylic coatings with a stain resistance index of 9 show an improvement of over 60%.
In addition to its self-cleaning properties, the product also features UV absorption, color retention, antibacterial and anti-algae activity, and air purification. It is transparent, colorless, and film-free, preserving the original structure and appearance of the coating. Being water-based and non-toxic, it is environmentally friendly and safe. Its construction is efficient and cost-effective, making it an ideal choice for modern building projects.
This technology has been recognized as a national leader in innovation and was selected as a key project under the company's 2007 technological innovation fund. It has gained acceptance from major domestic paint and coating companies. With its wide range of functions and strong market potential, this self-cleaning coating represents a significant advancement in the industry and offers a sustainable solution for long-term performance and aesthetics.
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