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: A plurality of non-white roofing granules is provided. The roofing granules include a plurality of particles including mineral fines and a calcia-based cement binder; and a non-white pigment-containing coating disposed on at least a portion of exterior surfaces of the particles. Methods of making the roofing granules are also provided. One method includes: mixing material including mineral fines and a calcia-based cement binder to provide agglomerates; curing the agglomerates to provide particles; and coating at least a portion of exterior surfaces of the particles with a non-white pigment-containing coating. Another method of making the roofing granules includes: providing an aqueous dispersion in a tool having cavities, the aqueous dispersion including mineral fines and a calcia-based cement binder; curing the aqueous dispersion in the tool to provide particles; and coating at least a portion of exterior surfaces of the particles with a non-white pigment-containing coating.

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: A method of coating a roofing material is described. The method comprises providing an aqueous roof coating composition comprising an inorganic binder material, a chemical curing agent, inorganic particulate filler; applying the aqueous roof coating composition to an inorganic roofing material; and allowing the aqueous roof coating composition to dry and chemically curing agent. The roof coating composition has a total solar reflectance of at least 0.7 after allowing the aqueous roof coating composition to dry and chemically cure. Also described are aqueous roof coating compositions and inorganic (e.g. roofing) materials comprising a surface coating having a total solar reflectance of at least 0.7; wherein the surface coating comprises silicate, a chemical curing agent; and inorganic particulate filler.

Abstract: A granule and building material including a granule having an inner zone and an outer zone that at least partially surrounds the inner zone and that comprises greater than 10% of the total volume of the granule is provided.

Abstract: An uncolored roofing granule including a low solar absorption base and a low solar absorption and solar opaque coating presented on the base, the coating including a binder, a pigment, wherein the binder includes a curable component and a non-clay, thermally reactive curing agent.

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: Plurality of granules comprising a ceramic core having an outer surface and a shell on and surrounding the core, wherein the core comprises first ceramic particles bound together with a first inorganic binder, wherein the first inorganic binder comprises reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the shell comprises at least a first concentric layer, wherein the first layer comprises a second inorganic binder and optionally second ceramic particles, wherein if present the second ceramic particles are bound together with the second inorganic binder, wherein the second inorganic binder comprises reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein for a given granule, the first ceramic particles are present in a first weight percent with respect to the total weight of the core and the second ceramic particles, if present in the first layer of the same granule are in a second weight percent with respect to the total weight of the first layer, wherein for a given granule, the

Abstract: A method of coating a roofing material is described. The method comprises providing an aqueous roof coating composition comprising an inorganic binder material, a chemical curing agent, inorganic particulate filler; applying the aqueous roof coating composition to an inorganic roofing material; and allowing the aqueous roof coating composition to dry and chemically curing agent. The roof coating composition has a total solar reflectance of at least 0.7 after allowing the aqueous roof coating composition to dry and chemically cure. Also described are aqueous roof coating compositions and inorganic (e.g. roofing) materials comprising a surface coating having a total solar reflectance of at least 0.7; wherein the surface coating comprises silicate, a chemical curing agent; and inorganic particulate filler.

Abstract: Plurality of granules comprising a ceramic core having an outer surface and a shell on and surrounding the core, wherein the shell comprises ceramic particles bound together with an inorganic binder, the inorganic binder comprising reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the ceramic particles are present as greater than 50 percent by weight of the shell of the respective granule, based on the total weight of the shell of the respective granule, wherein the shell of each granule has a total porosity in a range from greater than 0 to 60 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the shell of the respective granule, wherein the shell of each granule has a volume of at least 40 volume percent, based on the total volume of the respective granule, and wherein the granules have a minimum Total Solar Reflectance of at least 0.7. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.

Abstract: Plurality of granules comprising a ceramic core having an outer surface and a shell on and surrounding the core, wherein the shell comprises at least first concentric layers, wherein the first layer comprises first ceramic particles bound together with a first inorganic binder, wherein the first inorganic binder comprises reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the shell of each granule collectively has a volume of at least 40 volume percent, based on the total volume of the respective granule, and wherein the granules have a minimum Total Solar Reflectance of at least 0.7. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.

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: A roofing granule includes a glass substrate and a plurality of pores in the glass substrate such that the roofing granule has a minimum total solar reflectance of at least 50%.

Abstract: A granule and building material including a granule having an inner zone and an outer zone that at least partially surrounds the inner zone and that comprises greater than 10% of the total volume of the granule is provided.

Abstract: Building materials, such as roofing granules, including greater than 50% volume of glass are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more additives including colored pigments, infrared-reflective particles, infrared-absorbing particles, algicidal particles, photocatalytic particles, thermally conductive particles, or electrically conductive particles are incorporated at least partially throughout or onto the granule.

Abstract: A roofing granule includes a glass substrate and a plurality of pores in the glass substrate such that the roofing granule has a minimum total solar reflectance of at least 50%.

Abstract: An uncolored roofing granule including a low solar absorption base and a low solar absorption and solar opaque coating presented on the base, the coating including a binder, a pigment, wherein the binder includes a curable component and a non-clay, thermally reactive curing agent.

Abstract: Method of modifying dissolution rate of a plurality of particles in an aqueous-based solvent by adding hydrophobic surface modified nanoparticles to the plurality of particles, and exposing the plurality of particles to the aqueous-based solvent.

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: Method of modifying dissolution rate of a plurality of particles in an aqueous-based solvent by adding hydrophobic surface modified nanoparticles to the plurality of particles, and exposing the plurality of particles to the aqueous-based solvent.