Hydrophilic to hydrophobic transformations in surface coatings
As concerns grow about potential hazards for human health and the environment posed by organic solvents, the importance of waterborne coatings systems has increased dramatically. In essence, a waterborne coating system incorporates materials that are hydrophilic when applied but undergo a transformation to hydrophobic to deliver the desired performance. Currently such hydrophilic to hydrophobic transitions are typically achieved by chemical transformations but these transformations have limitations in terms of both the stability of the material following the transformation and in terms of the potential for chemical byproduct formation and contamination.
We are therefore looking for new technologies that can deliver hydrophilic to hydrophobic transformations in surface coatings, where an important aspect of the coating itself will be significant hydrophobic functionality. In the technologies we are looking for, the transformation must occur at ambient temperature and normal pressure, and ideally, it will be achieve via non-chemical routes.
The successful technology should not require significant levels of organic solvent or any additional reactive chemical agent to trigger the transformation, nor should it involve UV light unless safety at a consumer level can be unambiguously demonstrated. We have in mind a wide range of approaches that we believe could lead to one or more satisfactory solutions.
For a detailed description of our needs and a brief discussion of the potential approaches, we invite you to click here to view this request for a proposal.
To submit your response to this current need, please click here to open the reply form.