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Nanocomposite and Nanostructured Coatings: Recent Advancements

Raymond H. Fernando

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

Scientific concepts regarding the benefits of controlling materials at nano-scale have been around for at least half a century. However, technological breakthroughs leading to commercially viable products began only about twenty-five years ago. Intense research and development efforts in this period have resulted in a tremendous growth of products based on nanomaterials. As coatings are integral to virtually any imaginable product or structure, nanomaterials are having a great impact in this field. Today, there are many approaches to make nanocomposite and nanostructured coatings for a wide range of applications. This chapter focuses on the advancements in nanotechnology applications in liquid based coatings. Following a brief historic review of the development of nanomaterial concepts and key technological breakthroughs, a wide range of today’s nanotechnology coatings are discussed. They include polymer-nanoparticle and sol-gel composite coatings for improving scratch and UV resistance, IR reflection, anti-microbial and self-cleaning activity, corrosion resistance, and gas barrier properties. Nanostructured coatings for applications such as superhydrophobic surfaces are also reviewed. Current challenges facing further growth of the use of nanomaterials in coatings -- nano-scale dispersion, nano-scale characterization, and concerns over the health and safety of new naomaterials -- are also discussed.