Photocatalytic compositions and methods
AssigneeReckitt Benckiser (UK) Limited
InventorsRod Thomas Fox, Duncan Roger Harper
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Cleaning compositions including a photocatalytic material and a sensitiser employ a photocatalytic material and a sensitiser at a locus, for example on a surface. The residue combats soils and/or undesired microorganisms at the locus.
Claims22
An aqueous liquid cleaning composition which is adapted to be laid down on a surface as a liquid film and dried to leave a residue thereon, said composition comprising an admixture of:
- (a) from 0.01% to 20% by weight of titania as a photocatalytic material able to combat soils and/or undesired microorganisms and/or malodours;
- the titania comprising particles having a mean size in the range of from 5 to 100 nm;
- (b) from 0.00001% to 1.0% by weight of a sensitiser which is capable of absorbing radiation of a first wavelength from visible light and emitting radiation of a second wavelength, said sensitiser enhancing the efficacy of the titania against the soils and/or undesired microorganisms and/or malodours;
- and
- (c) a surfactant.
A method of cleaning a surface or of maintaining the cleanliness of a surface, which method comprises applying to said surface an aqueous liquid composition which comprises in admixture
- (a) from 0.01% to 20% by weight of titania as a photocatalytic material, the titania comprising particles having a mean size in the range of from 5 to 100 nm, and
- (b) from 0.00001 to 1.0% by weight of a sensitiser that absorbs visible ultraviolet or infra-red radiation and enhances the photocatalytic action of the titania against soils and microorganisms on said surface, and allowing the composition to dry on the surface, thereby depositing a residue of the titania and the sensitiser on said surface.
A method of combating malodours in the vicinity of a surface, which method comprises applying to said surface an aqueous liquid composition which comprises in admixture
- (a) from 0.01% to 20% by weight of titania as a photocatalytic material, the titania comprising particles having a mean size in the range of from 5 to 100 nm, and
- (b) from 0.00001 to 1.0% by weight of a sensitiser that absorbs visible ultraviolet or infra-red radiation and enhances the photocatalytic action of the titania against malodours in the vicinity of said surface, and allowing the composition to dry on the surface, thereby depositing a residue of the titania and the sensitiser on said surface.
A method according to claim 16, wherein the surface is a hard surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.