Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate having a surface and a transparent photocatalyst coating secured on the surface of the substrate, wherein the transparent photocatalyst coating includes titanium oxide and a component selected from a fluorescent dye, ultra-fine glitter, indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, silver nitrate, and combinations thereof. The substrate is preferably selected from an appliance handle, doorknob, switch, keyboard, countertop, appliance handle, equipment button, touchscreen, handrail, light emitting device, and light cover. Such substrates are frequently touched by one or more users and may become contaminated. However, the transparent photocatalyst coating may be self-decontaminating.

Abstract: A muffler includes a muffler housing having an exhaust gas inlet port adapted for securing to an exhaust pipe of an automobile so that exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine of the automobile are directed through the muffler housing from the exhaust gas inlet to an exhaust gas outlet. The muffler housing includes a plurality of rigid surfaces that form an exhaust gas pathway including a plurality of turns and lead from the exhaust gas inlet port to the exhaust gas outlet port. A photocatalyst coating is secured to an area of the rigid surfaces, and a light source is secured to the muffler housing and positioned to direct light onto the photocatalyst coating. The exhaust gases come into contact with the photocatalyst coating and reactive species generated by the photocatalyst coating decompose one or more pollutants in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate having a surface and a transparent photocatalyst coating secured on the surface of the substrate, wherein the transparent photocatalyst coating includes titanium oxide and a component selected from a fluorescent dye, ultra-fine glitter, indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, silver nitrate, and combinations thereof. The substrate is preferably selected from an appliance handle, doorknob, switch, keyboard, countertop, appliance handle, equipment button, touchscreen, handrail, light emitting device, and light cover. Such substrates are frequently touched by one or more users and may become contaminated. However, the transparent photocatalyst coating may be self-decontaminating.

Abstract: A muffler includes a muffler housing having an exhaust gas inlet port adapted for securing to an exhaust pipe of an automobile so that exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine of the automobile are directed through the muffler housing from the exhaust gas inlet to an exhaust gas outlet. The muffler housing includes a plurality of rigid surfaces that form an exhaust gas pathway including a plurality of turns and lead from the exhaust gas inlet port to the exhaust gas outlet port. A photocatalyst coating is secured to an area of the rigid surfaces, and a light source is secured to the muffler housing and positioned to direct light onto the photocatalyst coating. The exhaust gases come into contact with the photocatalyst coating and reactive species generated by the photocatalyst coating decompose one or more pollutants in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate having a surface, and a transparent semiconductor photocatalyst layer secured to the surface of the substrate, wherein the photocatalyst layer includes titanium oxide and a component selected from a fluorescent dye, ultra-fine glitter, indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, silver nitrate, and combinations thereof. The photocatalyst coating may be formed on a substrate using a formulation that includes an aqueous mixture of titanium oxide and amorphous titanium peroxide, wherein the aqueous mixture may further include one of the components. A method of forming the photocatalyst coating may include applying an aqueous mixture of titanium oxide and amorphous titanium peroxide to a surface of the substrate, wherein the photocatalyst coating includes a fluorescent dye, ultra-fine glitter, indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, and/or silver nitrate. The aqueous mixture may then be dried and heated to 100 degrees Celsius or greater.