The photocatalytically active mesoporous coatings, based on titanium dioxide sols (Degussa), of the fired clay roofing tiles substrate were prepared by using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) M-600 and M-4000, as the structure directing agents. The coatings were deposited using spray technique followed by thermal treatment. Photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 coatings was evaluated by aqueous solution of methylene blue as model dye, deposited on the top of the coatings, after irradiation with UV light. The results were compared with the photocatalytic efficiency of some commercial self-cleaning products (clay roofing tiles, glass). The newly design coatings showed an interesting decolourisation performance (over 30 % after 24 h). It appeared that the procedure of photocatalytic activity determination, in the case of porous substrates, should be renewed by a preadsorption process
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