/oss/taxonomy/term/655/all en /oss/article/technology-you-asked/what-chemical-makes-self-cleaning-windows-possible <p>Self-cleaning windows are here, thanks to recent developments in “photocatalysis” and “super-hydrophilicity.” Tongue-twisting terms, but well worth exploring. Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring pigment long used to impart a white colour to paints, inks, plastics, paper, ceramics, cosmetics and even food. When used as a pigment titanium dioxide is inert, but when ground into extremely fine particles, it exhibits photocatalysis.</p> Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:10:01 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1745 at /oss