A method of forming a titania-coated inorganic particle comprising the steps of: (a) agitating a mixture of inorganic particle and organic solvent; (b) adding titania precursor dropwise into the mixture of step (a) under agitation; and (c) adding catalyst to the mixture of step (b) thereby converting said titania precursor to titania which then forms a coating on said inorganic particle; wherein steps (a) to (c) are performed at neutral pH and ambient temperature.

The present invention relates to compositions with self-cleaning properties. More particularly, the invention concerns coatings or paints comprising particles coated with a catalytically active composition. In particular, a self-cleaning coating composition (paint) is provided, comprising micro-sized particles coated with a functional layer, wherein the micro-sized particles are hollow or solid beads, or any combination/ratio of hollow and solid beads, wherein the beads comprise one or more material(s) selected from ceramic material(s); polymeric material(s); cermet material(s); metallic material(s); pigmented material(s); light-absorbing and/or light reflecting material(s); including any combination thereof, wherein said layer is covalently bound to said particles, wherein the photocatalytic layer comprises TiO.sub.2 in the crystal form of anatase; and wherein the coating composition (paint) comprises less than 0.1 anatase particles derived/released from the micro-sized beads, determined as weight/weight of released anatase/total amount of anatase. The invention provides paint essentially without presence of unbound anatase crystals which is highly undesired, as it is believed that their presence has a negative influence on essential components of the paint, such as binder, pigment and/or additives and furthermore, anatase may cause eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation.

The present invention relates to compositions with self-cleaning properties. More particularly, the invention concerns coatings or paints comprising particles coated with a catalytically active composition. In particular, a self-cleaning coating composition (paint) is provided, comprising micro-sized particles coated with a functional layer, wherein the micro-sized particles are hollow or solid beads, or any combination/ratio of hollow and solid beads, wherein the beads comprise one or more material(s) selected from ceramic material(s); polymeric material(s); cermet material(s); metallic material(s); pigmented material(s); light-absorbing and/or light reflecting material(s); including any combination thereof, wherein said layer is covalently bound to said particles, wherein the photocatalytic layer comprises TiO.sub.2 in the crystal form of anatase; and wherein the coating composition (paint) comprises less than 0.1 anatase particles derived/released from the micro-sized beads, determined as weight/weight of released anatase/total amount of anatase. The invention provides paint essentially without presence of unbound anatase crystals which is highly undesired, as it is believed that their presence has a negative influence on essential components of the paint, such as binder, pigment and/or additives and furthermore, anatase may cause eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation.

The present invention relates to a retroreflective, elongated, filamentous product, comprising a core of non-metallic filamentous material; a first polymer matrix layer comprising a polymer resin, located around an outer peripheral surface of, and penetrating into, the core of non/metallic filamentous material; a reflective material located on an outer peripheral surface of said first polymer matrix layer; a second polymer matrix layer comprising a polymer resin, forming a primer layer on top of said reflective material; and a plurality of refractive microparticles distributed in said second polymer matrix primer layer, wherein said plurality of refractive microparticles is partially embedded in said second polymer matrix primer layer. A process for making the product and uses thereof are also disclosed.

A robust sintered retroreflective composite comprising, a core bead, a peripheral bead, and an interphase coating. The bead can be used in typical retroreflective indicia and uses.

A robust sintered retroreflective composite comprising, a core bead, a peripheral bead, and an interphase coating. The bead can be used in typical retroreflective indicia and uses.

The present disclosure provides a retroreflective glass bead that includes at least one high refractive oxide selected from the group consisting of TiO.sub.2, BaO, La.sub.2O and Bi.sub.2O.sub.3; and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of MgO, CaO, ZnO, ZrO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, K.sub.2O, Na.sub.2O, Li.sub.2O and SrO. The glass bead according to the present invention have excellent retroreflectivity according to optical properties and excellent durability and productivity due to a simple structure, and also can be produced in various colors due to high chemical stability. Thus, the retroreflective aggregate including the glass bead according to the present invention exhibits very high visibility under various circumstances such as rainy or dry conditions. In addition, the method of producing a glass bead according to the present invention can reduce manufacturing costs while ensuring excellent productivity.

The present disclosure provides a retroreflective glass bead that includes at least one high refractive oxide selected from the group consisting of TiO.sub.2, BaO, La.sub.2O and Bi.sub.2O.sub.3; and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of MgO, CaO, ZnO, ZrO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, K.sub.2O, Na.sub.2O, Li.sub.2O and SrO. The glass bead according to the present invention have excellent retroreflectivity according to optical properties and excellent durability and productivity due to a simple structure, and also can be produced in various colors due to high chemical stability. Thus, the retroreflective aggregate including the glass bead according to the present invention exhibits very high visibility under various circumstances such as rainy or dry conditions. In addition, the method of producing a glass bead according to the present invention can reduce manufacturing costs while ensuring excellent productivity.

A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is a locally-laminated reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the locally-laminated reflective layers may be localized reflective layers.

A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is a locally-laminated reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the locally-laminated reflective layers may be localized reflective layers.