Project description
Nature-based coatings as alternatives to PFAS chemicals
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitute a class of synthetic compounds widely used in non-stick and water-repellent coatings. Their notable persistence in the environment and living organisms has led to their characterisation as ‘forever chemicals’ and poses a serious health risk. Replacing them with safer, sustainable alternatives is an urgent global priority. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the NEPTRA project aims to develop PFAS-free repellent coatings using naturally derived fatty acids deposited through an innovative plasma-based process. This methodology enables scalable, sustainable fabrication of textured coatings with comparable repellent properties. Beyond replacing PFAS, the project will open new possibilities for the plasma-based polymerisation of complex natural molecules for functional coating applications.
Objective
The replacement of PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) as non-adhesive/repellent agents in coatings industry is an urgent concern. Indeed, PFAS are poorly degradable and extremely persistent, leading to their accumulation in both environment and living organisms, raising health risks. Although alternative coatings already exist and are improving, their fabrication processes are restraining their elaboration at higher scale for specific applications.
The NEPTRA project is built on the recent achievements of the host group in the processing of complex molecules by nanosecond-pulsed atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) discharges for the deposition of thin polymer coatings, which will initiate the applicant to a new research area. By combining both the expertise of the applicant and the supervisor, the investigation of the polymerisation and deposition of textured coatings using nature-based molecules (i.e. fatty acids) through NEPTRA will surpass the state-of-the-art of the coating’s deposition by APP. Although, fatty acids possess attractive surface properties, including low surface energy chemical groups, they remain rarely exploited as monomer in APP polymerisation approach. The broad knowledge of the applicant in coatings elaboration, and more specifically her expertise in the field of nano-structured coatings, will be key for the design and study of unique repellent PFAS-free coatings deposited by APP.
The proposed NEPTRA deposition approach using nanosecond-pulsed APP will enable PFAS-free and sustainable-by-design coatings based on repellent textured assemblies. Beyond this objective, NEPTRA will also open a new research area in the polymerisation of complex macromolecules by APP for the design and large-scale generation of robust, structured and functional coatings.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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4362 Esch Sur Alzette
Luxembourg
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