Abstract: An apatite-containing film having photocatalytic activity is produced by a process comprising the steps of preparing a liquid mixture comprising a Ca-containing compound and a P-containing compound, subjecting the liquid mixture to reaction to prepare an apatite-precursor composition, applying the apatite-precursor composition to a substrate, and drying the applied apatite-precursor composition. The process may further comprise a heating step after the drying step. The apatite-precursor composition is preferably in the form of a sol.

Abstract: An apatite-containing film having photocatalytic activity is produced by a process comprising the steps of preparing a liquid mixture comprising a Ca-containing compound and a P-containing compound, subjecting the liquid mixture to reaction to prepare an apatite-precursor composition, applying the apatite-precursor composition to a substrate, and drying the applied apatite-precursor composition. The process may further comprise a heating step after the drying step. The apatite-precursor composition is preferably in the form of a sol.

Abstract: A method of preventing or reducing fogging of a surface of a composite when subjected to humid conditions includes providing a composite with a surface. The composite includes a substrate and a photocatalytic surface layer. The photocatalytic surface layer includes a photocatalyst. The method further includes subjecting the photocatalyst to photoexcitation to render the surface of the composite hydrophilic, wherein, after the photoexcitation, the surface of the composite has a water wettability of less than 10° in terms of the contact angle with water. The method further includes subjecting the composite to humidity that is sufficient to induce fogging of the substrate if the photocatalytic surface layer were absent.

Abstract: The surface of a substrate is coated with an abrasion-resistant photocatalytic coating comprised of a semiconductor photocatalyst. upon irradiation by a light having a wavelength of an energy higher than the bandgap energy of the photocatalyst, water is chemisorbed onto the surface in the form of hydroxyl groups (OH−) whereby the surface of the photocatalytic coating is rendered highly hydrophilic. In certain embodiments, the surface of a mirror, lens, or windowpane is coated with the photocatalytic coating to exhibit a high degree of antifogging function. In another embodiment, an article or product coated with the photocatalytic coating is disposed outdoors and the highly hydrophilic surface thereof is self-cleaned as it is subjected to rainfall. In a still another embodiment, an article is coated with the photocatalytic coating and, when the article is soaked in, rinsed by or wetted with water, fatty dirt and contaminants are readily released without resort to a detergent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a crystalline metal oxide thin film by first depositing a substantially amorphous metal oxide film, and thereafter, as a post treatment, exposing the film to low temperature plasma in a high frequency electric field at 180° C. or less, and the crystalline metal oxide thin film produced by this method. Because the producing method according to the present invention allows a dense and homogenous crystalline metal oxide thin film to be formed onto a substrate at a low temperature without requiring active heat treatment, a metal oxide thin film having desirable characteristics can be formed without damaging the characteristics of a substrate even if the substrate has comparatively low heat resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an organic-inorganic composite graded material containing a composite material formed by chemically bonding an organic polymer compound and a metallic compound and having a component graded structure in which the content of the metallic compound continuously changes in the depth direction from the material surface, a process for the production of the above organic-inorganic composite graded material by forming a coating layer composed of a specific coating solution for forming the organic-inorganic composite film on an organic substrate and drying the coating layer under heat, a coating agent composed of the above organic-inorganic composite graded material for forming a coating film, and an article coated with the above coating agent.

Abstract: A tube for medical care comprises a tube body comprising an elastomer and a photocatalyst layer containing titanium oxide and having a great number of microcracks is formed on the surface of the tube body. The tube retains elasticity, and also can secure the close contact of the elastomer surface with the photocatalyst layer and thus has a titanium oxide photocatalyst layer fixed firmly to the tube surface, due to the stress relaxation by the great number of microcracks. The tube exhibits excellent antibacterial activity due to the photocatalyst layer. The tube exhibits more excellent antibacterial activity, when another antibacterial substance is carried on the photocatalyst layer.

Abstract: A method for highly hydrophilifying the surface of an article by photoexcitation of a semiconductor photocatalyst and maintaining the hydrophilicity is disclosed. A layer containing a photocatalyst is formed on a substrate. Onto the surface of the layer are fixed a hydroxyl group upon photoexcitation of the photocatalyst and a physically adsorbed water molecule in the vicinity of the hydroxyl group upon photoexcitation of the photocatalyst. Thus, the surface is highly hydrophilified. Further, this surface, simultaneously with the hydrophilification, exhibits higher hydrophobicity.

Abstract: The surface of a substrate is coated with an abrasion-resistant photocatalytic coating comprised of a semiconductor photocatalyst. Upon irradiation by a light having a wavelength of an energy higher than the bandgap energy of the photocatalyst, water is chemisorbed onto the surface in the form of hydroxyl groups (OH−) whereby the surface of the photocatalytic coating is rendered highly hydrophilic. In certain embodiments, the surface of a mirror, lens, or windowpane is coated with the photocatalytic coating to exhibit a high degree of antifogging function. In another embodiment, an article or product coated with the photocatalytic coating is disposed outdoors and the highly hydrophilic surface thereof is self-cleaned as it is subjected to rainfall. In a still another embodiment, an article is coated with the photocatalytic coating and, when the article is soaked in, rinsed by or wetted with water, fatty dirt and contaminants are readily released without resort to a detergent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a member having an antifouling surface on which the so-called “stains,” such as deposits and contaminants, are less likely to be deposited. The surface of the member has both a hydrophobic portion, and a hydrophilic portion induced by a photocatalyst, the hydrophobic portion and the hydrophilic portion being present in a microscopically dispersed and exposed state on the surface. More specifically, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a member comprising: a substrate; and a surface layer provided on the substrate, the surface layer comprising a photocatalytic oxide, a silicone resin or silica, and a water-repellent fluororesin, the silicone or silica and the water-repellent fluororesin being present in a microscopically dispersed and exposed state on the outermost surface of the surface layer.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base through a binder layer 6 interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer may have a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles or a structure in which no fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base through a binder layer 6 interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer may have a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles or a structure in which no fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials are classified into those which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function directly disposed on the surface of a base and those which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base through a binder layer interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer has a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base through an amorphous binder layer 6 interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer may have a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles or a structure in which no fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles. A lower layer of the photocatalytic layer is embedded in the binder layer such that an intermediate layer is formed between the binder layer and the photocatalytic layer, the intermediate layer including components of the binder and photocatalytic layers in varying concentrations therethrough.

Abstract: A photocatalytic functional material having an excellent photocatalytic activity even by a low temperature heat treatment and having a high mechanical strength of the surface. The photocatalytic functional material of the present invention comprises a surface layer (a photocatalytic functional layer) containing a photocatalyst, an electron trapping metal and a photodegradation-resistant matrix. Though the major proportion of the photocatalyst (TiO2 particles, and the like) in the photocatalytic functional layer are covered with the photodegradation-resistant matrix (a thermosetting resin, and the like), the electron-trapping metal effectively traps the electrons generated by the photocatalytic reaction, retains positive holes and generates active oxygen species, so that the photocatalytic function such as deodorant and antimicrobial activities can be fully exhibited.

Abstract: A process for photocatalytically treating a hospital room contaminated by bacteria or an interior environment bearing airborne malodorous substances. A thin film of photocatalyst made of a semiconductor such as titanium dioxide is disposed on the inner wall of the hospital room or living space. The photocatalytic thin film is irradiated by a light source suitable for general lighting applications, such as a fluorescent lamp, and is photoexcited by the small amount of ultraviolet radiation included in the light of the fluorescent lamp. The wattage of the fluorescent lamp as well as the distance between the photocatalytic thin film and the lamp are selected such that the intensity of those UV wavelengths which have a higher energy than the band gap energy of the photo-catalyst is 0.001-1 mW/cm.sup.2, preferably, 0.01-0.1 mW/cm.sup.2. The bacteria and chemical compounds deposited on the photoexcited thin film are photodecomposed.

Abstract: A method for hydrophilifying the surface of a substrate by taking advantage of photocatalytic action. The substrate has a photocatalytic titania coating (10). The surface of the photocatalytic coating (10) bears the solid acid that increases a hydrogen bond component (.gamma..sub.S.sup.h) in the surface energy in the solid/gas interface of the coating. Photoexcitation of the photocatalyst enhances the hydrogen bond component (.gamma..sub.S.sup.h) in the surface energy of the photocatalytic coating (10), accelerating the physical adsorption of molecules of water in the atmosphere through a hydrogen bond (16) onto hydrogen atoms in a terminal OH group (12), bonded to a titanium atom, and a bridge OH group (14) on the surface of the coating. This results in the formation of a high density, physically adsorbed water layer (18) on the surface of the photocatalytic coating (10), thus permitting the surface of the substrate to be easily hydrophilified.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials which have a photocatalytic layer with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base through a binder layer 6 interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer may have a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles or a structure in which no fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles.

Abstract: The surface of a substrate is coated with an abrasion-resistant photocatalytic coating comprised of a semiconductor photocatalyst. Upon irradiation by a light having a wavelength of an energy higher than the bandgap energy of the photocatalyst, water is chemisorbed onto the surface in the form of hydroxyl groups (OH.sup.--) whereby the surface of the photocatalytic coating is rendered highly hydrophilic. In certain embodiments, the surface of a mirror, lens, or windowpane is coated with the photocatalytic coating to exhibit a high degree of antifogging function. In another embodiment, an article or product coated with the photocatalytic coating is disposed outdoors and the highly hydrophilic surface thereof is self-cleaned as it is subjected to rainfall. In a still another embodiment, an article is coated with the photocatalytic coating and, when the article is soaked in, rinsed by or wetted with water, fatty dirt and contaminants are readily released without resort to a detergent.

Abstract: An antimicrobial solid material having a satisfactory antimicrobial activity for a long term against sewage in any form of circulating, static and flowing waters or contacting portions thereof and a utilizing method thereof are provided. An antimicrobial solid material as one embodiment of the present invention comprises both of an antimicrobial metal ion and an antimicrobial metal in a metal state. In general, it is believed that antimicrobial metal ions have a potent antimicrobial effect when they exist in a liquid to be treated with a certain concentration or more, but they are rapidly released and exhausted so that their antimicrobial effects cannot last long. On the other hand, it is believed that the antimicrobial metal in a metal state does not have a prompt effect, but exhibits a certain bacteriostatic and fungistatic effect continuously for a long term.