Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

We developed, using funds from Lorama and an NSERC CRD grant, polyurethane (PU) and epoxy coatings that contained nano-pools of a grafted liquid ingredient for de-wetting enablement (NP-GLIDE coatings). These coatings contain 4 to 8 wt% poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) as the anti-smudge agent (or de-wetting enabler) and exhibit superior anti-smudge properties. On these surfaces, common liquids such as muddy or soapy water, wine, vinegar, coffee, milk, soy sauce, soft drinks, cooking oil, engine oil, and alcohols cleanly slide at low substrate tilt angles without leaving a trace behind. Further, graffiti paints and inks readily contract. Additionally, they are transparent, wear-tolerant, and adherent to many substrates. The advantageous properties and numerous potential applications of these coatings have prompted Lorama, a Canadian coating additive company, to develop them for commercialization. However, the monofunctional PDMS, PDMS bearing one terminal functional group, that we use for NP-GLIDE coatings is still more expensive than other components in a PU or epoxy coating formulation. Moreover, the coatings still surface-reconstruct, a process involving the withdrawal of the less polar PDMS into the more polar coating matrices, when they are immersed in water for more than one day. Thus, this grant is applied a) to find an alternative or complementary anti-smudge agent for monofunctional PDMS and b) to inhibit the surface reconstruction of NP-GLIDE coatings. The principles established for the second project will then be used to facilitate the development of an anti-fouling marine coating for use on the hull of a ship. The success of this project will be of interest to the academic community because the results of this research will advance our understanding of the operating principles of anti-smudge agents and factors governing surface reconstruction. The various polymers and final coatings developed will be of tremendous commercial value to Lorama. Their commercialization will provide Lorama with innovative product lines and strengthen the economies of both Ontario and Canada.