Over the last few years, the adsorption of polyelectrolytes at solid/liquid interfaces has gained in popularity due to their potential applications for drug delivery, for preparation of nanosized materials and for fabrication of smart surface coating.

The company has developed a series of novel surface coatings which have adaptive properties that can be stimulated by an external trigger mechanism. The main product development is an easy-cleaning surface coating for use on a variety of surfaces such as metals (aluminium, PVCu, stainless steel, brass, copper and bronze), glass and plastic surfaces (PVC…).

The materials of choice in our coating are stimuli-responsive copolymers; these are synthesised using a controlled radical polymerisation : Atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP), Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. This family of polymers are able to self-assemble into micelles under specific conditions.

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Stimuli-Responsive Copolymers

Once made, these novel polymers are formulated into a product that can be easily applied to surfaces. The methods of application are spraying, dipping and curtain/ flow coating.  

The behaviour and morphology of these surface coatings are characterised to determine various properties including quality of the films produced, their response to various stimuli and ease of deposition.

The technology is based on the stimuli-responsive property of the polymer and their reversible morphology when adsorbed onto a surface. This allows the formation of smart microstructured surfaces via a cheap, easy and straight forward process, without the use of organic solvents or drying and / or annealing procedures. The simplicity of this process with respect to the application procedure means it is suitable for both the domestic market and also in industry.

Our Technology

Absorbed Layer Morphology on Glass

Illustration of the Microstructured Surface in Air

Illustration of the Microstructured Surface in Solution