Abstract
The present invention relates to luminescent beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium or barium doped cerium (III) aluminates encapsulated with TiO2, which inorganic nanomaterials have new multifunctional properties, namely with antimicrobial, antibacterial and water resistance photocatalytic activity. These aluminates encapsulation process involves dissolving the passivating agent, sodium titanate (Na2TiO3), under controlled pH conditions, such that the titania species are adsorbed onto the surface of aluminate particles through unsaturated bonds of the surface atoms. These luminescent aluminates encapsulated with TiO2 can be widely used as sanitary surfaces, self-cleaning, in the field of construction systems, biomedical systems, water systems or of high humidity, drugs and antibiotics and as biomaterials.
Innovative aspects & main advantages
Hydrolysis of luminescent materials when in contact with water is a problem. Encapsulating the particles of luminescent alkaline earth aluminate with TiO2 nanoshells hinders materials degradation and confers new added multifunctionalities, namely, photocatalytic, antimicrobial, and antibacterial actions, as well as water resistance.
Applications
The TiO2-encapsulated materials can be widely used in hygienic self-cleaning surfaces, civil construction systems, biomedical systems, aquatic or high humidity level systems, antibiotics, vaccines and biomaterials.