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| The group has a wide range of expertise and dedicated nanotechnology characterization equipment especially for coatings (the University has invested £1.5M in this research area for cutting edge new equipment). Smart Anti-microbial Coatings A major problem in the manufacturing, building and related industries is the progressive deterioration and damage on surfaces due to UV attack, external weathering and bio- growth. By building on current research findings (nano-clay composites) and other global cutting edge technologies from the Partners e.g. nano- photocatalytics and other research groups a unique opportunity exists to develop SMART tile coatings that respond to their environment and selectively self clean, anti- foul, destroy bacteria, purify the atmosphere, and resist abrasion depending on ambient conditions. The key to this novel approach is to synergistically combine polymer/layered silicate nanoclay/exfoliated systems with photocatalytically active nanoparticle anatase and/or rutile titanium dioxide pigments with varying densities, surface treatments, particle sizes and surface areas. A bio-switch system will also be incorporated using bio-nanotechnological ideas currently being pioneered in packaging where ‘release on command’ is possible. By this technique anti-bacterial chemicals will only release where and when the need occurs with the added advantage of longer active life. To further boost performance pure metallic silver in the form of high porosity nano silver particles will be added to the coating systems as an additional innovative environmentally friendly anti-microbial agent. Two types of coating matrix will be examined at different ends of the cost and chemical resistance spectrum one based on acrylic the other on a fluoropolymer the later being particularly resistant to attack by oxygen, moisture and UV irradiation. Initial experiments indicate that the response of the proposed coating depends on the environment encountered. For example if atmospheric pollutants such as nitrogen oxide gases (NOX) are present then the system can react and destroy them. This can only take place if the porosity of the coating is controlled using, for example, using calcium carbonate doping. The authors have in mind a technology similar to this that would be even more effective. In order to retain and/or enhance the hardness of the coating in parallel with modifying the porosity, nanoclay reinforcement in the region of 3% w/w will be used. New types of nanoclays (organically modified layered silicates) will be identified, chemically treated and modified. The layer (gallery) separation within the clay will be adjusted for two different coating systems (see later). Chemical compounds for modifying the clay will include rare-earth coupling agents and quaternary ammonium salts. Ten types of nanoclays with gallery layer separations in the range 1.1nm to 3.2nm will be produced and included in the research. In order for the coating to respond to, and destroy, harmful bacteria, nanoparticle anatase titania will be incorporated where it is expected that those types that offer hydrated high surface area particles will give the greatest activity. A basic understanding of the SMART coating system will be developed using innovative variations of nano-indentation devices, Atomic Force Microscopy and Wide Angle X-Ray Diffraction etc. Their SMART “selective response to their environment” performance will be followed and quantified using highly innovative, specially modified, analytical techniques based on optical strain imaging and electronic speckle pattern interferometry etc. Mechanistic models will be produced to correlate the breakthrough in greatly improved coating performance with the greatly improved mechanical and physical properties of the reinforced matrix. Such models will have relevance to other areas composites engineering and so the work will be of global, generic, and commercial importance. |
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