Abstract: A process of forming a functional thin film uniformly on the surface of a large size glass substrate, which is used for construction or the like, and a glass substrate coated with a thin film formed by the above process are provided. A uniform metal oxide thin film is formed by: using large size plate glass produced by the float bath process, in which molten glass is poured into an Sn bath and gradually hardened; and applying by spraying a coating solution containing an alcohol as a solvent and 5% by mass to 15% by mass of water onto the bottom surface of the large size plate glass, which is formed by bringing the molten glass into contact with the Sn bath, while controlling the wettability of the coating solution on the glass substrate.

Abstract: A photocatalyst-containing silicone resin composition is provided, which can be baked at a relatively low temperature (e.g., approximately 100° C.) to form a film having high transparency, durability and photocatalysis. This composition comprises TiO2, a Zr containing compound, a hydrolyzable silicone resin and a Si containing compound containing SiO2 particles. A content of the Zr containing compound in terms of its oxide is 0.005 to 0.1 parts by weight with respect to 1 part by weight of TiO2. A content of the Si containing compound in terms of its oxide is 0.5. to 6.0 parts by weight with respect to 1 part by weight of TiO2. A content of the SiO2 particles is 0.1 to 3 parts by weight with respect to 1 part by weight in terms of an oxide of the hydrolyzable silicone resin.

Abstract: An antifouling film coated article is provided, which has the capability of providing good antifouling property over an extended time period regardless of the amount of rainfall falling thereon. This coated article comprises a film of a silicone resin material formed on a substrate. A contact angle of water on the film is in a range of 5 to 30°, and an average surface roughness of the film is 5 nm or less. It is preferred that the silicone resin material is a composition containing colloidal silica and a silicone resin that is at least one selected from a partial hydrolysate and full hydrolysate of 4-functional hydrolyzable organosilane. This composition may further contain organic zirconium and/or an optical semiconductor material.

Abstract: A method of preparing an inorganic porous member causes a layered inorganic compound in swelled state with a solvent contained therein to be dried in a super critical state, so as to have holes held between respective layers of the inorganic compound, whereby the layered compound can be excellently maintained with less agglomeration caused upon removal of the solvent and the hole volume in the entire inorganic porous member can be remarkably increased.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fine porous member provides that vacant space within the porous member is sufficiently finely small such that the thermal conductivity of the member is lower than that of stationary air. In the method, a fine particle powder together with an ultrafine particle powder preliminarily subjected to a surface treatment for prevention of cohesiveness and employed at least as a part of the fine particle powder, are molded into the fine porous member, whereby the vacant space between the respective particles are made finely small to a remarkable extent and the porous member is provided as highly adapted to be used as a heat insulator.