Water-Based Coating Provides Superior Water and Dust Resistance

Abstract

Water and dust buildup on a variety of surfaces, such as decks, pillars, ceiling fans, refrigerator cooling coils, and blinds, can cause many problems including reduced performance and life, as well as increased maintenance cost. Dust-resistant and moisture-resistant coated mechanical components can reduce energy consumption via aerodynamic drag reduction during operation--in particular, residential, commercial, or industrial fans used in air handling systems.

University of Central Florida researchers have created a water-based nanoparticle suspension that forms a water and dust resistant coating on surfaces. Specifically designed for in-field application, this easily formulated, low cost, and easy-to-spray coating reduces dust adhesion by 95% and can be applied to a variety of exposed surfaces including walls, windows, fan blades, air conditioners, solar cell panels, and cooling coils. It can also be used in any paints that require water resistant properties such as stain resistant, dust resistant, water resistant, and corrosion protection coatings.

Technical Details

This composition is an aqueous solvent-based coating made of an alkaline aqueous solution of three components. The first is chemically condensable with itself and is independently cross-linkable (e.g. glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane). The second component is also chemically condensable with itself as well as with the first component, and it contains one of a fluorocarbon functionality and a hydrocarbon functionality (e.g. perfluorooctyltrichlorosilane, or, alternatively, an alkyl-trisubstituted silane). The optional third component is chemically condensable with the first and second components, but is neither independently cross-linkable nor includes at least one of the fluorocarbon functionality and the hydrocarbon functionality (e.g. cerium nitrate).

This coating can be cured with a similar composition. The cured first component is condensable with itself and independently cross-linkable. The cured second component is also condensable with itself as well as the first component and includes at least one of a fluorocarbon functionality and a hydrocarbon functionality. The cured third component is condensable with itself, the first and second components, and neither independently cross-linkable nor at least partially fluorinated.

This coating formulation may be applied using any of several methods including but not limited to dip coating methods, spray coating methods, roll coating methods, as well as any other conventional and non-conventional methods.

Benefit

Market Application