Abstract: The present invention provides polyurethanes including a reaction product of components including: (a) an isocyanate functional urethane prepolymer comprising a reaction product of components including: (i) about 1 equivalent of at least one polyisocyanate; and (ii) about 0.1 to about 0.5 equivalents of at least one diol having 2 to 18 carbon atoms; and (b) about 0.05 to about 0.9 equivalents of at least one branched polyol having 4 to 18 carbon atoms and at least 3 hydroxyl groups; and (c) up to about 0.9 equivalents of at least one polyol different from branched polyol (b) and having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, wherein the reaction product components are essentially free of polyester polyol and polyether polyol; compositions, coatings and articles made therefrom and methods of making the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides polyurethanes including a reaction product of components including: (a) an isocyanate functional urethane prepolymer comprising a reaction product of components including: (i) about 1 equivalent of at least one polyisocyanate; and (ii) about 0.1 to about 0.5 equivalents of at least one diol having 2 to 18 carbon atoms; and (b) about 0.05 to about 0.9 equivalents of at least one branched polyol having 4 to 18 carbon atoms and at least 3 hydroxyl groups; and (c) up to about 0.9 equivalents of at least one polyol different from branched polyol (b) and having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, wherein the reaction product components are essentially free of polyester polyol and polyether polyol; compositions, coatings and articles made therefrom and methods of making the same.

Abstract: A coated substrate is disclosed. The coated substrate includes a substrate; an undercoating having one or more materials selected from tin oxide, silica, titania, alumina, zirconia, zinc oxide and alloys and mixtures thereof nitrides of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, silicon, aluminum and mixtures thereof, and oxy-nitrides of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, silicon, aluminum and mixtures thereof overlaying at least a portion of the substrate; and a functional coating overlaying at least a portion of the undercoating. As a result of the undercoating, the coated substrate can exhibit improved properties such as improved aesthetic properties, increased durability, photocatalytic activity, mechanical durability, etc.

Abstract: Methods and articles are disclosed in which a substrate is provided with a photo-induced hydrophilic surface by forming a photo-induced hydrophilic coating on the substrate by spray pyrolysis, chemical vapor deposition, or magnetron sputter vacuum deposition. The coating can have a thickness of 50 ? to 500 ?, a root mean square roughness of less than 5, preferably less than 2, and photocatalytic activity of less than 3.0×10?3 cm?1 min?1±2.0×10?3 cm?1 min?1. The substrate includes glass substrates, including glass sheets and continuous float glass ribbons.

Abstract: A coated substrate is disclosed. The coated substrate includes a substrate; an undercoating layer comprising at least one layer selected from a mixture of silica and zirconia; a mixture of silica and alumina; or a mixture of silica, alumina and titania overlaying at least a portion of the substrate; and a functional coating overlaying at least a portion of the undercoating. The coated substrates of the invention exhibit improved properties such as increased durability, photocatalytic activity, etc. as a result of the undercoating layer.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a photoactive and/or hydrophilic surface includes contacting the surface with conditioned water and optionally a cleaning agent solution. A device for cleaning a photoactive and/or hydrophilic surface includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a first chamber and an optional second chamber located in the housing, a flow passage extending through the housingc between the inlet and the outlet, and a selector valve configured to selectively place the flow passage in flow communication with the first chamber, the optional second chamber, neither chamber, or both chambers. In one embodiment, the first chamber includes an ion exchange bed and the second chamber includes at least one cleaning agent.

Abstract: A coated substrate and methods for making the coated substrate are disclosed. The method entails depositing an undercoating over at least a portion of the substrate; fluidizing a precursor for nanoparticles; and forcing the fluidized precursor toward the substrate to coat the undercoating with a layer of nanoparticles. Coated substrates according to the present invention exhibit improved durability and increased photocatalytic activity.

Abstract: A method for forming a coated substrate is disclosed. The method comprises depositing an undercoating layer and depositing a functional coating comprising a material which can be present in more than one crystal structure over the undercoating layer, wherein there is a critical deposition thickness at which the functional coating transforms from a first polycrystalline film made up predominantly of the material having a first crystal structure to a second polycrystalline film made up predominantly of the same material having a second crystal structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a coated substrate is disclosed. The method includes depositing an undercoating layer on a substrate; and depositing a functional coating on the undercoating layer, the functional coating comprising at least one material that can be present in at least two crystal structures, wherein the at least two crystal structures are present at and exposed surface of the functional coating, wherein the undercoating layer comprises at least two different materials wherein a first material at the exposed surface provides a first surface area and a second different material at the exposed surface provides a second surface area.

Abstract: A coated substrate is disclosed. The coated substrate includes a substrate; an undercoating having one or more materials selected from tin oxide, silica, titania, alumina, zirconia, zinc oxide and alloys and mixtures thereof nitrides of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, silicon, aluminum and mixtures thereof, and oxy-nitrides of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, silicon, aluminum and mixtures thereof overlaying at least a portion of the substrate; and a functional coating overlaying at least a portion of the undercoating. As a result of the undercoating, the coated substrate can exhibit improved properties such as improved aesthetic properties, increased durability, photocatalytic activity, mechanical durability, etc.

Abstract: A coated substrate and methods for making the coated substrate are disclosed. The method entails depositing an undercoating over at least a portion of the substrate; fluidizing a precursor for nanostructures; and forcing the fluidized precursor toward the substrate to coat the undercoating with a layer of nanostructures. Coated substrates according to the present invention exhibit improved durability and increased photocatalytic activity.