European Coatings SHOW

Focus
10
Clever ways to achieve
better properties
Sessions on smart and functional coatings provide an overview
Smart coatings are often referred to as structured coatings
which confer additional benefits by responding in a defined
manner to external stimuli. Much talked-about are self-healing,
anti-fingerprint and conductive coatings, to name but a
few. These materials are clearly still attracting ever-increasing
levels of attention.
Attendees at the Co n g r e s s
sessions on smart coatings
and functional materials
will be given an overview
of current developments in
these systems. A flavour of
some of the twelve presentations
is provided below.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs),
for instance, are very promising
substances. Tiny as
they are, these molecularscale
tubes of graphitic
carbon can help improve
both the mechanical and the
electronic properties of materials.
Two presentations
are dedicated to these excit-
“In principle, anything is possible”
Prof. Claus D. Eisenbach, Dutch
Polymer Institute/ Institute for
Polymer Chemistry, University of
Stuttgart
Prof. Claus D. Eisenbach, Scientific Chairman, Coatings
Technology Area, Dutch Polymer Institute, and Institute for
Polymer Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, comments on the
latest trends in smart coatings.
� How do you define “smart
coatings”? What makes a
coating “smart”?
Claus D. Eisenbach: The
term “smart coating” is
most probably derived
from “smart materials.”
In applied technology, the
adjective “smart” generally
characterises the response
of a material’s properties
to a stimulus. So, a “smart
ing substances. Dr. Michael
Berkei of Byk Chemie will
discuss conductive coatings
that contain carbon nanotubes.
He will present new
additives based on CNTs
that are capable of functionalising
coatings in respect
of conductivity.
Prof. Jeon Kook Lee, Korea
Institute of Science and Technology,
will talk about electrical
conductivity improvement,
with a focus on transparent
conductive carbon nanotube
films which are made by a
solution spray process.
coating” will respond to an
external stimulus such as
light, temperature, pressure,
pH, odors & gas. The
stimulus causes a change
in the coating’s properties.
This chemical or physical
change may be reversible or
irreversible in accordance
with the special coating
system and/or intended application.
European Coatings Show Preview December 2010 www.european-coatings-show.com
Dr. Mat thias Wanner of Fraunhofer
Institute for Manufacturing
Engineering and Automation
will address novel
self-cleaning coatings. The
project he is currently involved
in seeks to generate
surfaces which possess selfcleaning
properties and which
are less prone to scratching
or vulnerable to contact with
surfactants.
PFPE silanes to
reduce fingerprints
Surfaces which are routinely
touched in use commonly become
covered in fingerprints,
skin oil, sweat, dirt and cosmetics
– all of which are hard
to remove. Ongoing developments
in fluorosiliconemodified
surfaces are aimed
at conferring easy-to-clean
and stay-clean properties.
� What are the latest material
trends in these coatings?
Eisenbach: There are many
examples where the term
“smart coating” is used to
distinguish such coatings
from conventional protective
or decorative coatings. At
present, research and development
efforts are focused
on different areas. There are
some coatings which exhibit
self-healing properties in response
to mechanical dam-
�
Source: Dutch Polymer Institute
Smart materials are attracting everincreasing
levels of attention
Perfluoropolyether (PFPE) silanes
are suitable for use on
age and others which have
light- or moisture-induced
self-cleaning properties.
Studies are also being done
on coatings with photochromic
and/or thermochromic
properties that change colour
upon exposure to radiation
or temperature, and on
pH-sensitive coatings that
shrink or expand and may
even release low-molecular
substances when the pH in
its environment changes.
Find complete programme and abstracts at:
www.european-coatings-show.com
many substrates and are designed
to reduce fingerprints
and contamination with dirt.
Steve Block of Dow Corning
will discuss improvements in
the PFPE silane polymer structure-property
relationship
and how application methods
affect surface behaviour.
Dr. Melindas Wales, Reactive
Surfaces, will concentrate on
re-chargeable coatings based
on natural biomaterials. She
will detail the current state of
research in the development
of biomaterials for functional
coatings, including antifouling
and antimicrobial surfaces,
and will provide specific
examples of recharging.
Sustainable coatings will also
be discussed by Dr. Frank
Sau er of Lanxess Deutschland,
who will talk about latest
developments on slow-release
techniques for biocides.
❘❚
� What further functionalities
might be feasible in the
near future?
Eisenbach: In principle, anything
is possible. Protective
coatings which adapt
to environmental and/or
service conditions are as
conceivable as coatings for
use in medical diagnostics
(e.g., test strips) and implants.
Coatings possessing
special optoelectronic and
electronic properties could
be employed in electronic
devices and information
technology. ❘❚