Nanopaint for desert environments

The attempt in Saudi Arabia to produce nanopaints on a laboratory scale and evaluate their performance for possible future application in the region is discussed. Paints with micro and nano titanium dioxide (TiO₂) pigments were prepared and subjected to salt spray, immersion, ultraviolet radiation exposure, water, and dirt repellency test, which showed that nanopaints are promising coatings to meet future challenges of the desert environment. TiO₂ pigments offer excellent resistance to corrosion, although the nanopainted surface exhibited microblistering. The nanopainted sample showed a significantly higher degree of water repellency and dirt repellency over the conventional samples. The self-cleaning attributes of the nanopainted surface are clearly observed in the work. Nanopaints have a promising future with the potential to overcome the serious problems of coating degradation in desert environments.