Cutting Edge Seminars

Challenges around sustainability, energy-efficiency, robustness, etc. hinder the practical use of superhydrophobic surfaces and liquid-repellent coatings in general. Here we will present new insights from interfacial nanoengineering alongside their promise to address the challenges in healthcare and the net zero aspirations in infrastructure resilience, built environment and transport sectors. For example, performance of emergent coatings potentially replacing poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – which cause major harm to ecological and human health – will be presented. Additionally, the ability of these coatings to enable mechanical energy harvesting will also presented as a solution for powering sensors in healthcare applications.

The use of organic coatings on coil coated steel is widespread among the construction, automotive industries and for use in domestic appliances. Almost all commercially available protective organic coatings are derived from fossil fuel origins. Increased environmental awareness has driven the requirement for alternatives to fossil fuel-based paint chemistries. The main aim of this work is to derive a suitable coating formulation using renewable or recycled feedstocks that match or exceed current industrial coating performance. Two polyester resins were synthesised with 46% and 30% renewable content and their respective mechanical properties and resistance to accelerated weathering were compared against a standard industrial formulation. The incorporation of 30% renewable content into a polyester resin is optimal to achieve greater flexibility, improved salt spray and QUV resistance when compared to the industry standard coating formulation.

The surface of a material is the key interface at which chemical reactions, degradation and wearing processes occur. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a powerful tool for examining the composition and chemistry of the surface, with the inherent surface specificity limiting the information gathered to the outermost 5-10 nm, thereby elucidating the chemical properties of surfaces and coatings, gathering information on degradation processes and developing materials for novel applications. I will outline some interesting examples of the application of XPS in industrially-relevant systems and demonstrate the importance of access to both world-class equipment and expert analysts facilitated by the University of Warwick.

Many antimicrobial surfaces and coatings are capable of passing standardised test methods and so are being labelled as antimicrobial but are ineffective at point of use. Current common standardised test methods (e.g. ISO22196) specify environmental conditions unlikely to be found in an end-use scenario, particularly relative humidity that is kept artificially high (>90 %). This allows the inoculum to remain wet on the surface and allows moisture-dependent surfaces to remain active for the duration of the testing period. As standardised testing methods become more in-line with realistic conditions, knowledge of the impacts of different environmental conditions on moisture-dependent surfaces will become vital for informing on antimicrobial surface and coating directed placement. Additionally, the mechanisms surrounding the bacterial and fungal deposition in an evaporating droplet has implications for antimicrobial surface efficacy via conditioning films and the coffee ring effect.

A proprietary process with low-to-zero CO2 emissions has been developed, and scaled up, by Seprify AG to produce pure cellulose microparticles. At a specific size these microparticles have unique capabilities to scatter light thereby allowing it to be very efficient white pigments. As such, cellulose white pigments (CWP) can be an excellent sustainable, renewable, and nontoxic alternative to metal oxides, including but not limited to, titanium dioxide. Moreover, CWPs have the ability to reflect UV and IR wavelengths leading to their potential use as renewable materials for radiative cooling. In addition to being efficient opacifiers, CWPs can be excellent emulsifiers and rheology modifiers. They have found applications in paints, coatings, food, pharma and cosmetics.

Jonathan will give an insightful overview of his research on the development of new pi-conjugated materials and their applications for modifying the properties of surfaces/materials for both optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications. As a new lecturer at Lancaster University he will discuss the facilities, characterisation techniques and types of molecules that are available from his group and the wider University.

There was 57Mt of electronic waste generated in 2022 of this less than 25% is currently recycled. The commercial recycling processes focus solely on the recovery of the precious metals at the expense of everything else. The silver ink we have formulated can create printed electronics using existing manufacturing methods such as screen-printing and recovered from products or manufacturing waste without using toxic highly-chemicals. The recovered silver can be reused in the manufacturing of new inks without further processing, creating a cost-effective closed loop system for circular printed electronics and reducing scope 3 emissions.

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Radiative cooling, the natural thermoregulation process responsible for maintaining the Earth's temperature balance, is emerging as a sustainable, electricity-free solution to combat building overheating. In my talk, I will delve into the fundamentals of radiative cooling, showcase the latest advancements in radiative cooling coatings and paints, and explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Interfacial chemistry plays a pivotal role in the materials manufacturing industry. For instance, in composite materials, it governs the interactions between different constituent materials at their boundaries, thereby influencing their structural properties in terms of stability and durability. Additionally, interfacial chemistry is crucial in understanding how materials interact with the environment, ultimately determining their lifespan. A comprehensive grasp of interfacial chemistry is widely recognized as essential for advancing material manufacturing.

Surface-sensitive, in situ spectroscopic techniques such as soft X-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopy (XPS and NEXAFS) are powerful tools for investigating these phenomena. However, utilizing these techniques poses challenges due to the necessity of ultra-high vacuum conditions. Nonetheless, significant advancements in instrumentation have rendered these techniques indispensable for studying gas-solid interfaces.

In my presentation, I will illustrate the significance of interfacial chemistry in nanostructured carbon relevant to the painting manufacturing industry. Through specific examples, I will demonstrate how employing these methodologies can contribute to the development of superior materials.