Functional coatings
Functional coatings, in addition to protective and decorative properties, have special functions. Examples are catalytic coatings for air pollution control and insulation coatings for energy savings. Research in this field is special for each type of coating and requires dedicated testing devices and formulation techniques.
Examples
The primary functions of coatings are to protect and decorate substrates. Examples of commercial functional coatings are antimicrobial, colour shifting, conductive, easy clean, photo- and thermochromic, self-healing and super hydrophobic coatings.
In CoaST, we work on the following functional coatings:
- Anti-stick coatings for the cement industry (wet clay)
- Rain erosion-resistant blade coatings for wind turbines
- Catalytic coatings for passive air cleaning
- Self-stratifying coatings for fouling control
- Insulation coatings for safe touch and energy saving
The research within each of these areas requires specialized formulation techniques and testing equipment for design and optimization of the particular function.
Disciplines
Disciplines involved in understanding the working mechanisms of functional coatings are chemical reaction kinetics, rheology, thermodynamics, advanced analytical and characterization tools, materials science, mathematical modelling, and transport phenomena.
Projects
The project
The shift from fossil fuels to sustainable fuels like methanol, ammonia, and free fatty acids leads to new corrosion-related problems in fuel storage. To prevent damage in metal storage tanks, epoxy coatings are commonly used as protective barriers. However, some sustainable fuels, such as methanol, can aggressively degrade epoxy coatings, leading to coating failure, increasing maintenance costs and safety risks.
While epoxy coatings are known for having good chemical resistance, the degradation caused by methanol is not yet well understood. This project aims to develop a method that will allow tracking the interactions between epoxy coatings and methanol, as well as to enhance epoxy formulations for higher resistance. Through increased coating durability, this work helps to provide safer and more reliable coatings for sustainable fuels storage.
Funding
The Hempel Foundation. The project runs from 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2027.
Supervisors
- Søren Kiil
- Narayanan Rajagopalan
- Omar Brun and Stefan Nielsen (external supervisors)
Contact
Maria Echarri Giacchi PhD Student Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering maecgi@kt.dtu.dk
Contact
Kim Dam-Johansen Professor Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering KDJ@kt.dtu.dk
The project
This project mainly includes three specific parts: the study of rain erosion mechanisms, the modification of the rain erosion lab test device and the formulation and evaluation of leading edge protection coatings.
Funding
The Hempel Foundation
Contact
Søren Kiil Professor Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering sk@kt.dtu.dk