Nanocomposite Latex Systems - Coatings
One approach to improve the properties of anti(bio)fouling, reduced dirt pick-up, reduced staining, improved scratch resistance, anti-corrosion and improved UV protection is to design nanocomposite latex systems containing different types of inorganic nanoparticles or to incorporate nanostructured particles with different functionalities.
Nanostructured latex binders are also developed in the EU-sponsored project "Nanostructured waterborne films with outstanding properties" NAPOLEON. The aim is to produce nanocomposites, which are at a maximum 50 nm in size. It is expected that the domains within the composites will be preserved during film formation.
Also, as a consequence of the small size of the particles they will be better packed resulting in less voids and hence stronger films. Smaller sized particles will also lead to a better polymer inter-diffusion and particle coalescence and that without the need of introducing film-forming aids.