PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
- Development of visible light-cured water-borne coatings, using monomers and photoinitiators obtained from renewable sources.
- Full characterisation of the coatings, including their rheological, thermal and mechanical properties (academic secondment), in view of their application on different substrates.
- Enhancement of their mechanical and functional properties (such as self-cleaning, gas sensing ability and photocatalytic activity) by addition of functionalised nanoparticles.
- Obtaining of at least one coating material that is more sustainable than the selected benchmark and has comparable performances.
EXPECTED RESULTS:
- Protocols for the preparation and characterisation of water-borne coatings from renewable sources.
- Nanostructured water-borne coatings with enhanced mechanical properties and smart functions.
- Setting of an appropriate sustainability metrics, and sustainability assessment of the new materials.
- Trained researcher expert on nanostructured photopolymers with skills in visible light sensitive systems and coatings, also acquired during secondments.
PLANNED SECONDMENTS:
- Host 1: EPFL (CH), supervisor: V. Michaud, timing: month 31, length: 6 months. Purpose: rheological, viscoelastic, thermal and mechanical characterisation of photocurable formulations and photocured materials.
- Host 2: SICPA (CH), supervisor: C. Schaller, timing: month 38, length: 3 months. Purpose: applying the formulations to several substrates for different applications.
*Enrolment in Doctoral degree: at YTU. Prof. M. Aydin will act as supervisor and Prof. N. Arsu as co-supervisor.