Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing photocatalytic coated ceramic granules. The method involves providing a coatable composition containing an inorganic binder and a variety of photocatalytic particles, such as TiO2, ZnO, Ti(OH)4, doped derivatives, or combinations thereof. These photocatalytic particles have a surface area per weight of no more than 15 m2/g. The coatable composition is then applied to uncoated base ceramic granules, resulting in intermediate coated granules. Finally, the intermediate coated granules are heated at a temperature of at least 700° C., leading to the formation of photocatalytic coated ceramic granules. These granules exhibit a Total Solar Reflectance (TSR) value of at least 0.7. This method offers an efficient and effective way to produce ceramic granules with enhanced photocatalytic properties.

Abstract: Granules include a blend of porous, mineral-based granules and additional granules having a hydrophobic polymeric coating. Use of the granules as roofing granules is also disclosed. A construction article includes a substrate, an organic coating, and the roofing granules at least partially embedded in the organic coating. Methods of making and using the construction article are also disclosed.

Abstract: Granules include a hydrophobic surface treatment. The hydrophobic surface treatment may include a hydrocarbon oil and a silicon-containing polymer, in which the hydrocarbon oil is present in an amount of at least 0.025 percent by weight, and the silicon-containing polymer is present in an amount of greater than 0.05 percent by weight of the roofing granules. The hydrophobic surface treatment may include silicon-containing polymer present in an amount of greater than 0.05, greater than 0.25 percent, or greater than 0.5 percent by weight of the roofing granules. Use of the granules as roofing granules is also disclosed. A construction article includes a substrate, an organic coating, and the roofing granules at least partially embedded in the organic coating. Methods of making the granules and the construction article are also disclosed.

Abstract: Roofing granules include heat-treated, porous, mineral-based granules having a moisture absorption of at least seven percent by weight and a blend of such heat-treated, porous, mineral-based granules and additional granules having a moisture absorption of less than five percent by weight. Use of the granules as roofing granules is also disclosed. A construction article includes a substrate, an organic coating, and heat-treated, porous, mineral-based aggregate having a moisture absorption of at least seven percent by weight at least partially embedded in the organic coating. A method of making the construction article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plurality of photocatalytic coated ceramic granules comprising base ceramic granules, each having an outer surface, and a photocatalytic coating disposed on the outer surface. The photocatalytic coating comprising an inorganic binder and a plurality of photocatalytic particles selected from TiO2, ZnO, Ti(OH)4, doped derivatives thereof and combinations thereof. The photocatalytic particles have a surface area per weight of tire particles of no more than 30 square meters per gram (m2/g). The coated ceramic granules have a Total Solar Reflectance of at least 0.7.

Abstract: Surface structured articles comprising a polymer matrix and a dispersed phase, the article having first and second opposed major surfaces, at least a portion of the first major surface is a microstructured, anisotropic surface comprises features having at least one dimension in a range from 1 micrometer to 500 micrometers, wherein the dispersed phase comprises an antimicrobial material, and wherein at least a portion of the dispersed phase is present on the microstructured, anisotropic surface. Surface structured articles are useful, for example, for marine applications (e.g., surfaces in contact with water (e.g., fresh water, ocean water)) such as boats, ships, piers, oil rigs, decks, and roofing materials.

Abstract: It is desired to find a new class of adhesion promoters to adhere the granules to the asphalt. Generally, the application is directed to an article comprising a substrate and a coating on the substrate, wherein the coating comprises a polyolefin. The substrate may be a roofing granule. In certain embodiments, the polyolefin is a chemically modified polyolefin. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a photocatalytic material.

Abstract: Surface structured articles comprising a polymer matrix and a dispersed phase, the article having first and second opposed major surfaces, at least a portion of the first major surface is a microstructured, anisotropic surface comprises features having at least one dimension in a range from 1 micrometer to 500 micrometers, wherein the dispersed phase comprises an antimicrobial material, and wherein at least a portion of the dispersed phase is present on the microstructured, anisotropic surface. Surface structured articles are useful, for example, for marine applications (e.g., surfaces in contact with water (e.g., fresh water, ocean water)) such as boats, ships, piers, oil rigs, decks, and roofing materials.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a coating composition. The coating composition comprises photocatalytic particles and an alkali metal silicate binder comprising an alkoxysilane. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a coated article. The coated article has a photocatalytic coating with improved durability on its external surface that is formed from the aforesaid coating composition.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a coating composition. The coating composition comprises photocatalytic particles and an alkali metal silicate binder comprising an alkoxysilane. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a coated article. The coated article has a photocatalytic coating with improved durability on its external surface that is formed from the aforesaid coating composition.

Abstract: It is desired to find a new class of adhesion promoters to adhere the granules to the asphalt. Generally, the application is directed to an article comprising a substrate and a coating on the substrate, wherein the coating comprises a polyolefin. The substrate may be a roofing granule. In certain embodiments, the polyolefin is a chemically modified polyolefin. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a photocatalytic material.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a coating composition. The coating composition comprises photocatalytic particles and an alkali metal silicate binder comprising a boric acid, borate, or combination thereof. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a coated article. The coated article has a photocatalytic coating with improved durability on its external surface that is formed from the aforesaid coating composition.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a coating composition comprising a ceramic binder and inorganic copper compound particles. Generally, the inorganic copper compound particles have a median particle size of less than 5 micrometers. In some embodiments, the particles have a median particle size of greater than 1 micrometer. The inorganic copper compound particles may be non-photocatalytic. The coating may also be placed on a structural layer.

Abstract: A building element selected from a roofing tile or siding element may be formed from a first cementitious mixture and a second cementitious mixture containing a photocatalytic cementitious mixture. The first cementitious mixture and the photocatalytic cementitious mixture may be co-formed into a shaped uncured two layer monolith having a base layer of the first cementitious mixture and a top layer of the photocatalytic cementitious mixture. The shaped uncured two layer monolith is then cured. The resulting building element may be algae-resistant.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a coating composition. The coating composition comprises photocatalytic particles and an alkali metal silicate binder comprising an alkoxysilane. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a coated article. The coated article has a photocatalytic coating with improved durability on its external surface that is formed from the aforesaid coating composition.

Abstract: A building element selected from a roofing tile or siding element may be formed from a first cementitious mixture and a second cementitious mixture containing a photocatalytic cementitious mixture. The first cementitious mixture and the photocatalytic cementitious mixture may be co-formed into a shaped uncured two layer monolith having a base layer of the first cementitious mixture and a top layer of the photocatalytic cementitious mixture. The shaped uncured two layer monolith is then cured. The resulting building element may be algae-resistant.

Abstract: A building element may be formed from a first cementitious mixture and a second cementitious mixture containing a photocatalytic cementitious mixture. The first cementitious mixture and the photocatalytic cementitious mixture may be co-formed into a shaped uncured two layer monolith having a base layer of the first cementitious mixture and a top layer of the photocatalytic cementitious mixture. The shaped uncured two layer monolith is then cured. The resulting building element may be algae-resistant.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a coating composition. The coating composition comprises a dispersion of photocatalysts having a mean cluster size of less than about 300 nm and an alkali metal silicate binder. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a coated article. The coated article has a photocatalytic coating with improved transparency on its external surface that is formed from the aforesaid coating composition.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a coating composition. The coating composition comprises photocatalytic particles and an alkali metal silicate binder comprising a boric acid, borate, or combination thereof. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a coated article. The coated article has a photocatalytic coating with improved durability on its external surface that is formed from the aforesaid coating composition.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a coating composition comprising a ceramic binder and inorganic copper compound particles. Generally, the inorganic copper compound particles have a median particle size of less than 5 micrometers. In some embodiments, the particles have a median particle size of greater than 1 micrometer. The inorganic copper compound particles may be non-photocatalytic. The coating may also be placed on a structural layer.