How to Choose the Right Nano Coating

Nano coating offers protection down to the nanoscale

‘Nanotechnology’ is science, engineering, and technology that involves the manipulation of matter with dimensions of 1 to 100 nanometers, also called the nanoscale. To get a sense of just how small that is, a sheet of newspaper is about 100,000 nanometers thick. A nano coating is an ultra thin layer or chemical structure built up on a surface, as little as one molecule thick. Nano coating is useful in almost any sector: it can be used to provide a protective sealing coat for car paint and also to makes the windows of a skyscraper self-cleaning. In this article we will take a look at the many possibilities liquid nano coatings offer.

To provide you with an idea of whether nano coating is what your project needs, we’ll give you 5 examples of benefits the coating can provide. Nano coating:

1. Increases safety: Dangerous fungi and bacteria cannot attach to the surface.
2. Slows down deterioration: Durable protection for sensitive and porous surfaces such as concrete bridges and monuments.
3. Decreases cleaning costs: Grease and dirt slides off windows and solar panels. Cleaning becomes safe and cost efficient.
4. Protects from vandalism: Becomes an effective anti graffiti or anti urine layer.
5. Prevents short-circuits: Ideal for electronic uses and electrical systems.

Nano coating does not form a layer on the substrate like traditional coatings, but rather it becomes one with the substrate instead. Due to this, liquids can no longer penetrate the surface, and dirt, grease and fungi cannot adhere – it is a hydrophobic coating that becomes part of the surface it protects.

Determine the right nano coating for your project in 3 steps

When choosing the right nano coating for your project the same principles apply as with any other coating. With such a large range of applications, it is easy to get lost. Keep in mind the type of substrate you are coating, its environment, its use, and the purpose of the coating you want. We will guide you through the choice in three simple steps.

Before you begin be aware that nano coatings are not always the right solution. They are not suitable for old or contaminated substrates, and they are not permanent – they have a lifespan, and need to be replaced once it is up.

Step 1: What do you expect from the coating

Before you can choose a coating, you need to know what you expect from it. What is your substrate, what do you need for your substrate, and what do you need to protect it from? Different nano coatings have different properties, or different combinations of properties. The four basic functions are:

1. 

   Hydrophobic nano coating does not let water droplets adhere to the surface.

   Hydrophobic/oleophobic – Hydrophobic and oleophobic mean “water-fearing” and “oil-fearing” respectively. A hydrophobic coating or oleophobic coating uses silicon dioxide (SiO₂) to repel water(or liquid) and oil. Waterproofing a substrate also protects from corrosion, urine, and provides a barrier between the substrate and the environment. These can be applied on almost all substrates – for preventing graffiti adhesion, for example.

2. Hydrophilic – Hydrophilic means “water-loving”, and uses titanium dioxide (TiO₂) to break down dirt and then wash it away. TiO₂ becomes activated in the presence of sunlight, interacting with dirt and breaking it down. When it rains, the hydrophilic coating will attract the water to it and it runs like a sheet down its surface, taking the dirt with it. They also reduce friction and enhance lubricity. Skyscraper windows, solar panels, medical devices, self-cleaning glass – all of these use hydrophilic coatings.
3. Antimicrobial – There are 3 main antimicrobial nano coating types: titanium dioxide (TiO₂), organosilane, and silver. TiO₂ breaks down organic substances, silver is a natural antimicrobial, and organosilanes work by providing an abrasive surface to which pathogens cannot adhere. The applications here are self-explanatory – from medical and surgical devices, sanitary surfaces in food preparation to water treatment facilities and even ductwork.
4. Glass/ceramic – Based on silicon dioxide, this coating is used for its scratch resistance, hardness, heat resistance, electrical insulation, and weather resistance. Ceramic coatings also act as a hydrophobic coating. Ceramic coatings are particularly used for automotive finishes, anti-graffiti, and medical devices.

Step 2: Choosing the coating type for your needs

Once you understand the kind of protection you need, you can choose a coating. Below is a helpful table outlining the various protective properties of the coatings by ingredient.