Long-lasting Self-luminous Coatings with Self-Cleaning Properties

WU Zeyu; HE Zhiling; ZHU Qi

doi:10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2025.16.021

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Surface Technology ›› 2025, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (16) : 240-248. DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2025.16.021

Surface Functionalization

Long-lasting Self-luminous Coatings with Self-Cleaning Properties

WU Zeyu, HE Zhiling, ZHU Qi^*

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Abstract

To address the issue of unfavorable visibility of traditional traffic index lines during the night, that is, the index may perform much worse on guiding drivers in dark circumstances, long afterglow luminescent materials have been innovatively applied to the procedure of creating traffic index lines in recent years. These materials possess a characteristic of self-illuminating, particularly at night, which contributes to their outstanding visibility and significantly promotes the nighttime performance of traditional road markings. However, existing self-luminous coatings still have several drawbacks. For instance, the period for coating solidification is relatively long. Since the coating surface is prone to dirt, the luminescent performance will be diminished. By utilizing a heating and blending method, the work aims to prepare a novel thermoplastic fluorescent coating. A hydrophobic coating is applied to the surface of the thermoplastic fluorescent coating by means of the dip coating method. Therefore, the coating not only maintains excellent fluorescent properties, but also exhibits outstanding hydrophobicity, endowing itself with superior anti-fouling and self-cleaning capabilities. The phase composition of the coating was analyzed thoroughly by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructural morphology of the specimens was examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Tests were carried on on luminescent performances of specimens and results were demonstrated by the excitation spectrum, emission spectrum, and afterglow spectrum. The afterglow attenuation curves of different compositions were also analyzed. With the intention of evaluating the hydrophobicity, the contact angles between the coating surface and the droplet were measured and it was found that the droplets would not infiltrate the coating surface. In addition, self-cleaning capabilities and anti-fouling properties of specimens were compared. The droplet sliding process between hydrophobic modified coatings and non-hydrophobic modified coatings with soil on their surfaces was also compared. Through various categories of experiments mentioned previously, the optimal formulation of the thermoplastic fluorescent coating was determined. The ideal composition was obtained through a series of experiments, which consisted of approximately 42wt.% of C5 petroleum resin, 25wt.% of fluorescent powder, 30wt.% of glass beads, and 3wt.% of additives. The self-luminous coating, after being exposed to sunlight for 2 hours, can sustain an afterglow for 8 hours, which is sufficient for the requirement of nighttime road marking guidance. As long as the coating is changed hydrophobically in a nanosilica solution for two minutes, it will glow pretty well, and its hydrophobic property will be great, with a contact angle of 153.279° between the surface and the droplet. This long-lasting, self-luminous coating with self-cleaning capabilities can significantly cut down the time required to produce traffic index lines and enhance nighttime illumination for highways, thereby contributing to energy conservation and lowering labor maintenance costs. By the way, it benefits both the environment and humans, in line with the concepts of energy saving, emission reduction, low carbon, and environmental friendliness. Consequently, the application of this long-lasting, self-luminous coating with self-cleaning capabilities is bound to support the realization of smart highway concepts, promoting the safety, efficiency, and convenience of road traffic, as well as providing a better travel experience for drivers and pedestrians.

Key words

thermoplastic fluorescent coating / long afterglow / hydrophobic / self-cleaning / road marking / smart highway

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WU Zeyu, HE Zhiling, ZHU Qi. Long-lasting Self-luminous Coatings with Self-Cleaning Properties[J]. Surface Technology. 2025, 54(16): 240-248 https://doi.org/10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2025.16.021

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