Nanotechnology in the Coatings Industry

Advances in technology are driving innovations across industrial sectors. In the paints and coatings industry, technology is being deployed to enable the production of higher-quality and more durable paints. Many companies engaged in paints and coatings manufacturing are making innovations in both production technologies and raw materials used in their R&D units to develop higher-quality products. The word nano derives from Latin meaning 'dwarf'. The nanometre, derived from this term, is a unit of length representing one billionth of a metre. Today, the examination and development of materials at the nanometre scale, and the production of new materials by combining such nanometre-scale materials, is referred to as nanotechnology. Artificially produced nano-sized particles and nano-scale system components possess important new properties for the development of new products and applications. Nanoscience or nanotechnology has generated positive developments in numerous fields, including material development, chemistry, physics and engineering sciences. The chemical industry has played a crucial role not only in the development of nanomaterials but also in their deployment in various applications. One of the areas in which nanotechnology has driven major advances is coatings. With nanotechnology, nano coatings and paints have been produced. These next-generation nano coatings have demonstrated significant potential in various industrial applications through improved chemical resistance, erosion and abrasion resistance, and UV resistance properties. Nanotechnology has brought different opportunities to the coatings industry. By virtue of small particle size, the addition of nanomaterials to coatings has enabled the production of more functional coatings. Nanotechnology has enabled the development of different coating types and paint formulations.

Through nanotechnology;

• Coatings and paints have been produced that conduct heat and electricity more efficiently, • Prevent mould, bacteria and microbe formation, • Can self-clean, • Can purify air. Recent advances in nanotechnology in particular have enabled the production of coatings more resistant to scratching. Coatings produced with SiO2 nanoparticles have been found to be more resistant to scratching and wear. [caption id="attachment_130520" align="aligncenter"] Figure 1. Lotus Leaf[/caption]

Self-Cleaning Coatings

Through nanotechnology, self-cleaning coatings have been produced. These coatings can be easily cleaned with rainwater. In 1997, Barthelott and colleagues examined the lotus leaf. As a result of this examination, it was understood that self-cleaning lotus leaves possess hydrophobic properties and a special surface morphology. According to the findings reached in the examination, the lotus leaf repels water due to its hydrophobic (water-repellent) properties, and as these water droplets roll, they carry away dirt. Due to this hydrophobic property, the surface of the lotus leaf always remains clean. Building on the properties of the lotus leaf, technology was developed and similar coatings were produced. In the production of these coatings, photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2) was used. The beneficial effect of TiO2 is that it exhibits hydrophilic properties. TiO2 commonly produces an effect in coatings known as the 'water-sheeting' effect. With this effect, coatings demonstrate self-cleaning properties. Nanocoatings with this property possess photocatalytic characteristics. These coatings require natural or artificial UV sources, oxygen (O2) and moisture to perform their functions. For this reason, the use of such coatings on exterior facades is more appropriate. Looking at the meaning of the word photocatalytic, it can be defined as a very new nanotechnological and photochemical surface coating product worldwide that causes no harm to organic materials or human health, retains its effectiveness for a considerable period once applied, and generates a chemical reaction using light energy. Paints Produced with Nano-Technology Paints produced with nanotechnology are manufactured in simple terms through the following steps; • Partial hydrolysis of silanes, • Modification of the surface of nano-sized metal oxide particles with the obtained hydrolysate, • Dispersion of surface-modified nano-sized metal oxides in resins, • Mixing the resulting product into paint formulations in specific proportions for application. Nano paints produced with nanotechnology are more durable in many respects. Using nanotechnology, paints with photocatalytic properties are being produced. In particular, these paints demonstrate greater chemical resistance. The purposes of using photocatalytic paints are bacteria prevention (antimicrobial properties), water purification, air purification, self-cleaning and odour elimination. In particular, the use of paints with these properties is increasing in sterile environments such as operating theatres. Looking ahead, we can envisage that photocatalytic paints and coatings will be deployed on building facades. Nanotechnology has become an increasingly used technology for the production of more durable materials. Work at the nano scale continues on a global level. The most significant benefits of nanotechnology can be listed as: extending the service life of materials, maintaining indoor comfort conditions in balance through passive methods, reducing energy and resource consumption in buildings, and contributing to the reduction of negative effects of building sources on the environment and human health. In particular, the properties imparted to materials through nanotechnology are important from a sustainability perspective. Due to the climate crisis and depleting resources, sustainability is becoming increasingly important. For this reason, industries are favouring sustainable production and products. Accordingly, demand for more sustainable paints and coatings produced with nanotechnology is expected to increase. References • https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Julide Bozoglu/publication/291333895_Yapilarda_ve_Yapim_Yonetiminde_ Nanoteknoloji_Uygulamalari/links/569fe9ed08ae4af52546d5d3/Yapilarda-ve-Yapim-Yoenetiminde-Nanoteknoloji-Uygulamalari.pdf • http://ijcea.org/papers/108-A530.pdf Nanotechnology-A New Prospective in Organic Coating -Review - A.Mathiazhagan and Rani Joseph • http://www.ajesjournal.com/PDFs/08-2/2.%20Nanotechnology-A%20boon.pdf -Nanotechnology in High Performance Paint Coatings • https://www.shutterstock.com/tr/image-photo/man-painting-metal-products-spray-gun-1477392212