Engineering Mica/TiO2/Cu2O ternary nanomaterial for enhanced thermal insulation and antibacterial coating

In moist environments, indoor building materials serve as significant substrates for microbial growth. A novel ternary composite pigment of mica/TiO 2 /Cu 2 O has been developed for the coating of a photocatalyst with antibacterial and thermal insulation properties. Spectroscopic analysis and light absorption studies were employed to confirm the stable synthesis of heterojunction structures. Compared to TiO 2 and Cu 2 O, the mica-heterojunction nanosheet demonstrates exceptional antibacterial efficacy, achieving 99.99% bacterial reduction against S. aureus and E. coli within 1 h. Furthermore, real-world irradiation experiments showcase the superior cooling capabilities of the coating. Photoluminescence spectroscopy indicates that the inclusion of mica effectively suppresses electron-hole pair recombination in the heterojunction, resulting in robust photocatalytic disinfection. This study presents a structured methodology for developing a promising antibacterial thermal insulation coating.