Water-based, eco-friendly spray coating technology
Solvents (substances used to dissolve something else) are commonly used in products such as coatings and paints. European researchers supported by funding of the NANOREFLEX project set out to develop alternative materials and technology for spray coating that use water as the solvent rather than potentially harmful organic substances. NANOREFLEX investigators developed highly reflective sub-micron aluminium pigments with surfaces free of organic substances. They then identified the water-based nano-coating process that enabled corrosion protection of pigments while maintaining optical quality and surface functionality. Continued research should elucidate the appropriate materials and methodology to bind the pigments to their substrates in a way that satisfies relevant industrial processing parameters. The sub-micron pigments and water-based coating technology developed by the NANOREFLEX team have important implications for reducing exposure to toxic organic substances both in the workplace and at home. Further work and industrial application of the results could significantly reduce the dependence of European industry on Japanese organic-based coating technology, providing benefits for the European economy, consumers and the environment.
