Nanocoatings and Nanocomposite Materials

Nanotechnology refers to the manufacturing, measurement and structural design of materials and devices using specialized methods and techniques at the atom and molecule scale, and the ability to utilize the fundamental properties of these materials. Nanocoating is the coating of material surfaces with a layer composed of nanostructured materials. Chemical and physical changes that cannot be achieved at micro-scale can be obtained through nanoparticles, which coat surfaces more uniformly. Nanocoatings offer numerous advantages such as environmental friendliness, reduction of surface roughness, and greater cost-efficiency. Nanocoatings can be used in many fields. Some of these applications include: • Self-cleaning coatings, • Anti-bacterial coatings, • Stain-resistant nanocoatings on ceramic surfaces, • Corrosion-preventive coatings, • Water-repellent coatings, • Scratch-resistance-enhancing coatings.

Considering the advantages of nanotechnology in coatings;

1. Self-cleaning capability, 2. Scratch resistance, 3. UV radiation resistance, 4. Anti-bacterial properties, 5. Achievement of more homogeneous surfaces, 6. Flame retardancy, 7. Corrosion resistance, 8. Energy provision by storing solar energy. Coated materials can acquire self-cleaning properties through TiO2 nanoparticles and activation by sunlight. With nanocoatings, an inorganic-organic hybrid coating layer is applied to the surface, increasing the corrosion resistance and protecting the material. Additionally, nanocoatings cover ceramic surfaces with a thin glassy hydrophobic silica layer synthesized with water-repellent properties, closing these pores and preventing stain formation. While it is difficult to create a completely sterile environment to prevent infections through nanocoatings, the reproduction and proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms can be largely prevented. Coatings containing nanosilicate particles increase the hardness of surfaces, expanding their areas of application. For water-repellent coatings, coating materials with hydrophobic structure can be used. In these types of materials, the coating substance is silane-based material containing fluoroalkylsilane or methyl groups.

Composite Materials

Composite material is defined as the formation of a single substance property material by combining different types of materials. Composite materials generally consist of two groups of substances: reinforcing material that acts as a load-bearing component and matrix phase that surrounds and holds them together and provides support. An interphase exists between the matrix and reinforcing sections. Composite materials can be used in many fields: energy, industry, packaging industry, textile industry, sports equipment. In the energy industry, polymer composites used in renewable energy platforms enable environmentally responsible, highly efficient and more economical production. Polymer nanocomposites, which promote the development of next-generation battery technologies produced using nano-scale materials, enable the production of both solid and liquid-based rechargeable batteries. Our group continues research on thin-film coating technology, π-conjugated polymers, new functional monomer designs, modified thin polymer films, supercapacitors, biosensor applications, electropolymerization of heterocyclic systems, coatings on carbon-based electrodes (glassy carbon, carbon fiber carbon nanotube, fullerene, etc.). In recent years, research has been conducted on the synthesis of many π-conjugated organic molecules, their polymerization and their material properties, particularly for capacitor applications. For example, 3,5-dithiophen-2-yl dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]thiophene (Thy2DTT) and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) were polymerized onto glassy carbon electrode in 0.1 M sodium perchlorate / acetonitrile / dichloromethane (8:2) and the lowest frequency capacitance value of the copolymer CLF = 1.11 mF cm-2, mole fraction (XThy2DTT= 0.66 and 0.83) [1] was determined. Carbazole and its derivatives (N-vinylcarbazole, N-ethylcarbazole, N-vinylbenzylcarbazole [2], 9-tosyl-9H-carbazole [3], N-benzylcarbazole [4], 2,(9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl methacrylate [5], 5-(3,6-di(thiophen-2-yl)-9H-carbazol-9-yl) pentan-1-amine [6], 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole [7]) were polymerized on carbon fiber microelectrodes using cyclic voltammetry technique and redox parameters and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results were obtained comparatively. Poly(3-Octylthiophene) and Poly(3-Octylthiophene)/TiO2 nanocomposite films [8], and copolymerization of Carbazole and 2,2':5'-2'' Terthiophene [9] studies were conducted. In the literature, many polymers and materials for thin film formation have been developed regarding electrochemical coating technology. Examination of developed materials in terms of electrical, optical, thermal and mechanical properties in technology is of great importance. Additionally, from an electrochemical perspective, film controllability in the technique employed is of great significance. Prof. Dr. Murat Ateş / Department of Chemistry / Faculty of Science and Letters / Namık Kemal University References [1] Ates, M.; Osken, I.; Ozturk, T.; J. Electrochem. Soc., 159 (6), E115-E121, 2012. [2] Ates, M.; Uludag, N.; Fibers and Polymers, 11 (3), 331-337, 2010. [3] Ates, M.; Uludag, N.; Sarac, A.S.; Fibers and Polymers, 12 (1) 8-14, 2011. [4] Ates, M; Uludag, N.; Fibers and Polymers, 12 (3), 296-302, 2011. [5] Ates. M.; Uludag, N.; Sarac, A.S.; J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 1213475-3482, 2011. [6] Ates, M.; Uludag, N.; Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 51, 640-646, 2012. [7] Sezgin, S.; Ates, M.; Parlak, E.A.; Sarac, A.S.; Int. J. Electrochem.Sci. 7, 1093-1106, 2012. [8] Ates, M.; Dolapdere, A.; Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 54(17), 1780-1786, 2015. [9] Ates, M.; Eren, N.; Iranian Polymer Journal, 23(8), 581-589, 2014