University College London (UCL) researchers have developed a new coating that never gets dirty.

The self-cleaning coating can be applied to soft materials such as cloth and paper, as well as hard surfaces made of glass or steel. It keeps on repelling dirt even after being rubbed with sandpaper or scratched with a knife.

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Researchers have tested the paint's waterproofing ability and tolerance to wear-and-tear on glass, steel, cotton wool, and paper.

"Being waterproof allows materials to self-clean as water forms marble-shaped droplets that roll over the surface, acting like miniature vacuum cleaners picking up dirt, viruses and bacteria along the way," explained first author Yao Lu.

"For this to happen, the surface must be rough and waxy, so we set out to create these conditions on hard and soft surfaces by designing our own paint and combining it with different adhesives to help the surfaces withstand damage".

Professor Ivan Parkin, head of chemistry at UCL, has specialized in self-cleaning technology based on surfaces that are super-hydrophobic or highly repellent to water. He said the new coating makes surfaces super-hydrophobic and helps form ball-shaped droplets that roll away.

The hydrophobic tendency of the titanium-dioxide paint is so strong that when the bottoms of toy boats were coated with it, they floated higher in the water. If the same coating could be applied to the hulls of full-size ships, they would need between 10 and 15 per cent less fuel.

The study authors said the biggest challenge is keeping waterproof materials from losing their coatings during use, especially when they regularly come into contact with oils.

Other groups have tried to overcome this challenge by making water-repelling surfaces that use tiny surface etchings to keep liquids at bay.

The self-cleaning coating details were published in the journal, Science.

TagsNew Self-Cleaning Paint, New Self-Cleaning Coating, super-hydrophobic, cloth, Paper, Paint, coating, waterproof painting