This month, we want to focus on educating our customers on our smart-technology paint’s science. Our paint contains titanium dioxide (TiO2), which has photocatalytic properties. Photocatalysis is a chemical reaction occurring when light (either natural or artificial) hits the photocatalytic surface (Activa Coating) to destroy microbes, pollution particles, germs, mold, fungus, and other types of polluting particles in the air. Our video on the healthy benefits of our paint explains this.
The Paint’s History
Back in 1967, Akira Fujishima was working on his Ph.D. in engineering while working under the supervision of Kenichi Honda. It was during this time that Fujishima discovered that when he exposed titanium dioxide to strong light, water went through a photocatalytic decomposition (or water photolysis). This discovery was later called the Honda-Fujishima effect, named after its founders. The discovery of the self-cleaning properties of titanium dioxide ignited a revolution in ceramic, glass, paint (Activa!), and more.
It wasn’t until 1972 that Fujishima and Honda announced their discovery in the journal Nature. Titanium dioxide went on to be thoroughly researched by Kazuhito Hashimoto, who was determined to find a way to make the photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide work inside, with artificial light. Naturally, the photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide only work when the particles are hit with UV rays from the sun; therefore, Hashimoto made it his life’s mission to bring this amazing science inside.
After years of research, Hashimoto discovered that when you attach an iron- or copper-ion as a co-catalyst to the surface of titanium dioxide, the photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide increase ten-fold under artificial light.
How It Works
Since our paint contains titanium dioxide, that means our paint is photocatalytic and can destroy pollution, allergens, odors, microbes, fungi, mold, and more. This all starts at a molecular level. When light hits the titanium dioxide particles in our paint, it excites the electrons in the titanium dioxide to a high energy state. One electron is then donated to another reduced molecule, which leaves a positive charged titanium atom (meaning that it has more protons than electrons). Think of it as a little “hole” in the atom.
When this happens, the molecule is then able to oxidize another molecule. When this reaction occurs in air—which it does when you use Activa Coating—oxygen reacts with the excited electron and hydrogen reacts with the “hole” which creates an active oxygen molecule. This is great for everyone because we can reduce the pollution in our air, together, by using photocatalytic paints on buildings, sidewalks, roads, indoors, and nearly everywhere! Nearly 72% of all the paint sold in Japan is photocatalytic paint; we want to see that here in the United States, if not more.
Customer Comments/Reviews
These are some customer reviews that have discussed their satisfaction with our smart-technology paint:
“… it provides a self-cleaning, deodorizing, air purifying and a biofilm that when applied is also a mold reducing paint and filters pollutants and odors. It is a sustainable and self-cleaning covering which will be perfect for my project. … I am excited to use this paint because it is so healthy for our environment.”
“I won’t pretend to understand how this stuff works but I am convinced that it does. … Now, a month later, the staleness has not reappeared. … Being no chemist, I can’t tell you how it works but it actually does.”
“… I had to paint my husband’s office ceiling which was dirty and yellowed from 8 years of cigarette smoke. I only had to do one coat and it was so easy to apply. … Activa covered the yellow stained ceiling and removed all odors and left the room with a nice clean smell. … The more the sun came shining through the windows the bad smells dissipated away quicker and the air was giving off a clean smell.”
Activa Coating is perfect for anyone who cares about their health and the health of their family. We want to help your family breathe clean, pure air each day and night so that you can all stay healthy. Our smart-technology paint can help with asthma, allergies, illnesses, and protecting the most vulnerable—children and elders. We want your family to be healthy and rest easy; paint with Activa Coating.