Preparation, characterization, and energy simulation of ZnTiO3 high near-infrared reflection pigment and its anti-graffiti coating

Abstract

In the field of cooling materials, ZnTiO₃ (ZT) is still a new member that needs to be further studied. In this paper, pure cubic ZT was synthesized by the sol–gel method, and the effect of calcination temperature on ZT synthesis was investigated. The hydrophobic modification was carried out on ZT to prepare near-infrared reflective thermal insulation functional composite coatings based on silicone resin (SI). Compared with unmodified ZT (U-ZT), the modified ZT (M-ZT) exhibits better dispersion in the SI matrix, contributing to improved solar reflectance and anti-graffiti performance. The EnergyPlus software was used to simulate energy consumption in the air conditioning system. The excellent chemical stability and high NIR reflectance made the synthesized pigments potential candidates for energy-saving coatings. The simulation showed that homeowners could save $10.29 a month by applying an energy-efficient coating consisting of ZT to the walls and roofs of their buildings. Besides, these coatings show potential anti-graffiti application due to the exceptional repellency of coated surfaces against water-based ink, oily red marker, and paint.