C hapter 10 nanomaterial product Forms and Functions
436
Electrical properties can be altered using nanocoatings to improve
the conductivity of a surface—for example, by adding carbon nanotubes or other metallic nanoparticles. Even polymeric coatings can
be made conductive to a greater or lesser degree. Nanocoatings
can be used to alter the magnetic properties of a surface as well. A
number of antistatic coatings have been developed as well as coatings that serve other electrical and magnetic functions. The need for
a coating to ground a charge or discharge static electricity buildup
is surprisingly frequent. Other functions of coatings include acting
as sealants or barriers for liquid or gas transmission. In common
plastic drink bottles, for example, there is a need for a gas barrier
so that pressure can be maintained. Various polyamides with nanoclay particles are often used for this function. (See the following
section on nanosealants.)
There is a strong need for surfaces that are self-cleaning, antimicrobial and antibacterial, and scratch resistant or even selfrepairing. This topic was discussed earlier in this chapter (see the
section on self-healing materials). Many of these actions can be
obtained by manipulating surface characteristics via nanocoatings
or nanofilms.
For consumer products, nanoscale coatings are used as everything
from lubricants on razor blades to watchband protective coatings.
Common sunscreens normally incorporate nanoparticles of titanium oxide, known for its light absorption capabilities. Zinc oxides
are used as well (see the discussion on nanocosmetics).
multilayers and nanofilms
Nanoscale thin films, often called nanofilms, can be deposited on
the surface of another base material by any one of several physical
and chemical processes. Multiple nanoscale layers can be built up
to form multilayered or laminate structures. Total thickness often
lies in the submicron range. As with similar nanocoatings we’ve
discussed, these layered structures serve an astonishing array of
functions. They are relatively easy to deposit on a surface and can
impart many qualities to it. Various thin layers can be deposited on
one another to build up a variety of functionalities (multicoatings
or laminates). Many of these structures provide us with remarkable
optical effects and properties and are often used to change light
transmission characteristics. They can be conductive or nonconductive. Conductive layers can be deposited on nonconductive base
materials and thus serve a variety of purposes (including static discharge). Applications are found in flat-panel displays, touch panels,
436
Electrical properties can be altered using nanocoatings to improve
the conductivity of a surface—for example, by adding carbon nanotubes or other metallic nanoparticles. Even polymeric coatings can
be made conductive to a greater or lesser degree. Nanocoatings
can be used to alter the magnetic properties of a surface as well. A
number of antistatic coatings have been developed as well as coatings that serve other electrical and magnetic functions. The need for
a coating to ground a charge or discharge static electricity buildup
is surprisingly frequent. Other functions of coatings include acting
as sealants or barriers for liquid or gas transmission. In common
plastic drink bottles, for example, there is a need for a gas barrier
so that pressure can be maintained. Various polyamides with nanoclay particles are often used for this function. (See the following
section on nanosealants.)
There is a strong need for surfaces that are self-cleaning, antimicrobial and antibacterial, and scratch resistant or even selfrepairing. This topic was discussed earlier in this chapter (see the
section on self-healing materials). Many of these actions can be
obtained by manipulating surface characteristics via nanocoatings
or nanofilms.
For consumer products, nanoscale coatings are used as everything
from lubricants on razor blades to watchband protective coatings.
Common sunscreens normally incorporate nanoparticles of titanium oxide, known for its light absorption capabilities. Zinc oxides
are used as well (see the discussion on nanocosmetics).
multilayers and nanofilms
Nanoscale thin films, often called nanofilms, can be deposited on
the surface of another base material by any one of several physical
and chemical processes. Multiple nanoscale layers can be built up
to form multilayered or laminate structures. Total thickness often
lies in the submicron range. As with similar nanocoatings we’ve
discussed, these layered structures serve an astonishing array of
functions. They are relatively easy to deposit on a surface and can
impart many qualities to it. Various thin layers can be deposited on
one another to build up a variety of functionalities (multicoatings
or laminates). Many of these structures provide us with remarkable
optical effects and properties and are often used to change light
transmission characteristics. They can be conductive or nonconductive. Conductive layers can be deposited on nonconductive base
materials and thus serve a variety of purposes (including static discharge). Applications are found in flat-panel displays, touch panels,