The invention relates to a method for obtaining a magnesium fluoride (MgF.sub.2) sol solution, comprising the steps of providing a magnesium alkoxide precursor in a non-aqueous solvent and adding 1.85 to 2.05 molar equivalents of non-aqueous hydrofluoric acid to said magnesium precursor, characterized in that the reaction proceeds in the presence of carbon dioxide. The invention further relates to sol solutions, method of applying the sol solutions of the invention to surfaces as a coating, and to antireflective coatings obtained thereby.

Nanoparticles zwitterionic polymers grafted thereto or grafted therefrom, and methods for making and using the nanoparticles. Zwitterionic nanogels, and methods for making and using the nanogels.

A visible-light-responsive photocatalyst powder includes a tungsten oxide powder. When the tungsten oxide powder is measured by X-ray diffractometry, (1) among intensity ratios of a peak A (2=22.8 to 23.4), a peak B (2=23.4 to 23.8), a peak C (2=24.0 to 24.25), and a peak D (2=24.25 to 24.5), an A/D ratio and a B/D ratio each fall within a range of 0.5 to 2.0, and a C/D ratio falls within a range of 0.04 to 2.5, (2) an intensity ratio (E/F) of a peak E (2=33.85 to 34.05) to a peak F (2=34.05 to 34.25) falls within a range of 0.1 to 2.0, and (3) an intensity ratio (G/H) of a peak G (2=49.1 to 49.7) to a peak H (2=49.7 to 50.3) falls within a range of 0.04 to 2.0, and the tungsten oxide powder has a BET specific surface area in a range of 1.5 to 820 m.sup.2/g.

The use of a colloidal silica having a specific surface area greater than 300 m.sup.2/g in a gas barrier coating additionally comprising polyvinyl alcohol and/or ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and/or a silylated derivative thereof improves wet bond strength.

A cable assembly includes a conductor and a self-cleaning layer that surrounds the conductor and includes one or more of a photocatalyst and an electrocatalyst. Overhead high voltage electricity transmission lines are formed from these cable assemblies. Methods of reducing surface buildup on a cable are also provided.

A coating for application to a natural-coloured substrate is provided that allows for increased colour vibrancy of dye applied to the coated substrate. The coating comprises silica particles and at least one binder solid, and in addition, may comprise siloxane. The coating may comprise a mono or a poly aqueous sol dispersion of silica particles optionally having particle sizes from about 1 to about 150 nm.

A graphene-containing coating film includes at least one hydrate represented by Chemical Formula 1 as described herein, a graphene positioned in a shape on the surface of the hydrate represented by Chemical Formula 1, and a silica particle positioned on the surface of the hydrate of Chemical Formula 1 and positioned on the surface of the graphene in a shape of discontinuous island. Particularly, the silica particle includes agglomeration of a plurality of silica nanoparticles. A method of preparing the graphene-containing coating film and a vehicle part such as a head lamp including the same are also provided.

A superhydrophobic ceramic coating that is transparent and durable includes a dispersion of a multiplicity of silica nanoparticles stacked to form a topography that is rough that is infused with and conformally coated with a sol-gel glass matrix that has a fluoroalkyl silane or an alkyl silane monolayer on the surface of the coating. The silica nanoparticles do not scatter light to a large extent as they are sufficiently small and free of aggregation. The sol-gel glass is formed from a trialkoxysilane precursor and applied to the stacked silica nanoparticles to retain the rough topography of the deposited nanoparticles.

A retroreflective powder coating composition including a film-forming resin and a plurality of retroreflective particles. The film-forming resin including a base particle, a metallic coating, a pigment coating composition, and a substantially transparent siloxane coating.

Coating compositions comprising a polymer binder and hybrid metal oxide particles are described herein.