Paints soon that can generate electricity

Hyderabad: Scientists at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, have developed a smart coating technology that is self-healing, hydrophobic and hydrophilic, eco-friendly, resists corrosion and more. Surfaces requiring these properties need only be coated by the polymers and their hybrids.

Scientists at the Polymers and Functional Materials Division of the IICT said projects on different types of coating materials were underway and could be altered as per the requirements of the user.

Smart coating polymers are under development around the world which respond to an external stimulus. “Self-healing property can be invoked with a small amount of heating. If there is a scratch, it can be removed just by applying heat from a hair dryer,” said Dr Ramanuj Narayan, senior scientist, Polymers and Fun-ctional Materials Division, IICT said.

Another kind of material being developed is transparent and hydrophobic which repels water so there is no wetting or blurring of the surface. Researchers have also developed an eco-friendly polymer paint with anti-microbial properties that is devoid of additives. Paint and coating uses many additives which may contain toxins and could even emit them apart from odours. “Additives also go away after some time, degrading the quality of the paint coat. But there is no degradation in our eco-friendly paint,” said Dr K.V.S.N. Raju, head of the Polymers and Functional Materials Division of IICT.

IICT researchers have also developed a self-recoverable polymer coating that can recover its original shape on slight heating. “Scientists were working on the development of composite materials but observed a self-recoverable behaviour. It will regain its original shape like rubber. We are thinking what kind of applications it can have,” Dr Narayan explained.

IICT is also working on developing a solar paint and ink that will completely do away with the need for solar panels and will directly generate electricity from the coated walls.