Abstract: A method for producing an aqueous composition comprising a condensate based on silicon compounds, involving the steps of i) introducing at least one polymeric rheology control agent into water; ii) adding at least one acidic catalyst; iii) adding at least one silicon compound of general formula (I) RnSiX4-n in which the radicals X are the same or different and stand for hydrolysable groups or hydroxyl groups, the radicals R are the same or different and stand for non-hydrolysable groups, and n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and iv) performing a hydrolysis reaction of at least part of the silicon compounds of general formula (I) added in step iii). The present invention further relates to a composition that can be obtained by means of the method according to the invention.

Abstract: A method for producing an aqueous composition comprising a condensate based on silicon compounds, involving the steps of i) introducing at least one polymeric rheology control agent into water; ii) adding at least one acidic catalyst; iii) adding at least one silicon compound of general formula (I) RnSiX4-n in which the radicals X are the same or different and stand for hydrolysable groups or hydroxyl groups, the radicals R are the same or different and stand for non-hydrolysable groups, and n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and iv) performing a hydrolysis reaction of at least part of the silicon compounds of general formula (I) added in step iii). The present invention further relates to a composition that can be obtained by means of the method according to the invention.

Abstract: A composition for the production of an antireflection coating, comprising a condensate obtainable by the condensation of silicon compounds of the general formula RnSiX4-n (I) in which the X groups are the same or different and represent hydrolyzable groups or hydroxyl groups, the R groups are the same or different and represent non-hydrolyzable groups, and n is 0, 1, 2, or 3, wherein the composition comprises at least one polymeric agent controlling the rheology and at least one solvent with a boiling point of at least 150° C. The present invention also describes methods for the preparation and use of the present composition. In particular, the composition can be applied by screen printing methods on substrates.

Abstract: A composition for the production of an antireflection coating, comprising a condensate obtainable by the condensation of silicon compounds of the general formula RnSiX4-n (I) in which the X groups are the same or different and represent hydrolyzable groups or hydroxyl groups, the R groups are the same or different and represent non-hydrolyzable groups, and n is 0, 1, 2, or 3, wherein the composition comprises at least one polymeric agent controlling the rheology and at least one solvent with a boiling point of at least 150° C. The present invention also describes methods for the preparation and use of the present composition. In particular, the composition can be applied by screen printing methods on substrates.

Abstract: A self-cleaning paint coating that exhibits the LOTUS EFFECT and an agent and a method for producing the same. The paint coating comprises a paint base coat and a topcoat. The topcoat includes structure-forming particles and is at least partially hydrophobic. The structure-forming particles have an average particle diameter of less than 100 nanometers (nm) and form elevations in the topcoat surface that are interspaced at a distance of less than 50 nm. The topcoat of the paint coating is formed from the agent. The agent contains a liquid medium, a hydrophobating agent dissolved in the liquid medium, and structure-forming particles suspended in the medium. The method of forming the paint coating comprises coating a substrate with the base coat, applying the topcoat agent to the partially cured or uncured base coat, and curing of the top coat, and if required, the base coat.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass, ceramic and metal substrates with at least one self-cleaning surface, comprising a layer with a micro-rough surface structure that is arranged on the substrate and made at least partly hydrophobic. The layer contains a glass flux and structure-forming particles with a mean particle diameter within the 0.1 to 50 ?m range; the glass flux and structure-forming particles are present in a volume ratio within the 0.1 to 5 range, and the micro-rough surface structure has a ratio of mean profile height to mean distance between adjacent profile tips within the 0.3 to 10 range. To produce the subject of the invention the substrate is coated with a composition containing a glass flux and structure-forming particles, and the layer is burnt in and made hydrophobic.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass, ceramic and metal substrates with at least one self-cleaning surface, comprising a layer with a micro-rough surface structure which is arranged on the substrate and made at least partly hydrophobic. The layer contains a glass flux and structure-forming particles with a mean particle diameter within the 0.1 to 50 ?m range; the glass flux and structure-forming particles are present in a volume ratio within the 0.1 to 5 range, and the micro-rough surface structure has a ratio of mean profile height to mean distance between adjacent profile tips within the 0.3 to 10 range. To produce the subject of the invention the substrate is coated with a composition containing a glass flux and structure-forming particles, and the layer is burnt in and made hydrophobic.

Abstract: A substrate of glass, ceramic, plastic and metal, or a glazed or enamelled substrate, with a self-cleaning and/or hydrophobic surface. The substrate having disposed thereon a coating that includes a plurality of particles affixed to the surface of the substrate by a binder. The particles are preferably of nanoscale size and extend outwardly from a surface of the coating to form a nano-rough surface. The nano-rough surface causes a hydrophobic or water repellent effect. The binder can be formed from an organic or an inorganic material and operates to fix the plurality of particles to substrate surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to self-cleaning paint coatings that exhibit the Lotus effect® and to an agent and a method for producing the same. The inventive paint coatings comprise a paint base coat and a top coat, which has structure-forming particles with an average particle diameter of <100 nm; said top coat is at least partially hydrophobic and has elevations interspaced at a distance of >50 nm. The agent contains a liquid medium, at least one hydrophobing agent that has been dissolved therein and the aforementioned structure-forming particles held in suspension. The method comprises the following steps: coating of a substrate with a paint coat, application of the liquid to pasty agent that forms the top coat to the partially cured or uncured paint base coat and curing of the top coat and if required, the paint base coat.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass, ceramic and metal substrates with at least one self-cleaning surface, comprising a layer with a micro-rough surface structure which is arranged on the substrate and made at least partly hydrophobic. The layer contains a glass flux and structure-forming particles with a mean particle diameter within the 0.1 to 50 &mgr;m range; the glass flux and structure-forming particles are present in a volume ratio within the 0.1 to 5 range, and the micro-rough surface structure has a ratio of mean profile height to mean distance between adjacent profile tips within the 0.3 to 10 range.

Abstract: Substrates, in particular a substrate of glass, ceramic, plastic and metal and glazed or enamelled substrates, with a self-cleaning surface comprise an at least partly superficially hydrophobic structured (elevations and depressions) coating located on the substrate.

Abstract: Prior art production of purple pigments based on colloidal gold on stovable/sinterable/fireable support material involves the reduction of a gold compound in the presence of a chemical reducing agent.Purple pigments may be produced more simply according to the invention by intimately mixing and/or grinding the support material and the gold compound in dry form or by bringing an aqueous solution or suspension of a gold compound and a support material into contact and then thermally treating the mixture at a temperature above the decomposition temperature of the gold compound and below the sintering temperature of the support material, wherein the gold compound is converted into colloidal gold.

Abstract: Purple colors based on colloidal gold on stovable substrates and the use thereof for the production of purple decoration on glass, ceramics and porcelain are known. The production of such purple colors is elaborate.Agents according to the invention should be viewed as pigment precursors, wherein the pigment is formed during firing of the decoration. The agents contain a gold compound, with the exception of gold oxide, which may be decomposed to colloidal gold on firing of the decoration and a finely divided glass flux in a weight ratio of gold to glass flux of between 1:10 and 1:2,000. Preferred agents contain HAuCl.sub.4, Au.sub.2 S.sub.3, AuCN or KAu(CN).sub.2 as the gold compound and a lead-free glass frit as the glass flux.The agents may be obtained by grinding the glass flux with a gold compound.Purple decoration is obtained by applying the agent to the substrate to be decorated and storing at 400.degree. to 1,050.degree. C.