To date latex emulsion paints have relied on the addition of soaps or similar materials to prevent the polymer component separating out from the water base and stabilize the paint. The researchers led by Stefan Bon have found a way to individually coat the polymer particles used in such paints with nano-sized Laponite clay discs. The discs effectively create an armoured layer on the individual polymer latex particles in the paint.
The clay discs can be applied using current industrial paint manufacture equipment. They not only provide an alternative to soap, but can also be used to make the paint much more hard wearing and fire resistant.
The process can also be used to create highly sensitive materials for sensors. When the armoured polymer is heated to burn away the polymer cores, it leaves a network of nano-sized, connected hollow spheres. This could provide a very large surface area in a very small space, as a base material to create compact but highly sensitive sensors.
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