The photocatalytically active mesoporous coatings, based on titanium dioxide sols (Degussa), of the fired clay roofing tiles substrate were prepared by using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) M-600 and M-4000, as the structure directing agents. The coatings were deposited using spray technique followed by thermal treatment. Photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 coatings was evaluated by aqueous solution of methylene blue as model dye, deposited on the top of the coatings, after irradiation with UV light. The results were compared with the photocatalytic efficiency of some commercial self-cleaning products (clay roofing tiles, glass). The newly design coatings showed an interesting decolourisation performance (over 30 % after 24 h). It appeared that the procedure of photocatalytic activity determination, in the case of porous substrates, should be renewed by a preadsorption process

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The wettability of clay roofing tiles as a surface phenomenon plays a key role considering their deterioration process during exploitation. The experimental investigations in this paper were performed combining the data of the material-relevant parameters and the surface wetting properties in order to assess clay roofing tiles biodurability. The fungus Aspergillusniger was used as a model microorganism whose colonization and growth, during a period of 28 days on the tiles fired at two temperatures (900 and 1020ºC), was analyzed. The paper confirms that the colonization of the tiles with the fungus goes through two stages: up to the 18th day, based on the surface characteristics, and after the 18th day when the textural characteristics (values of water absorption) are the dominant parameters