Waterborne functional paints to control biodeterioration

Abstract

Coatings are generally defined as any material (usually liquid) that maybe applied as a thin continuous layer to a surface [1]. Paint is a term traditionallyused to describe a specific dispersion system constituted by pigments, binder(s)(polymer or resin), solvents, and additives. These pigmented systems aredesigned for application to a substrate as a thin layer which is converted to anopaque solid film after application unlike of lacquers or varnishes [2,3].Therefore, paint is any pigmented coating [3].Coatings are usually applied as multilayered systems, each layerperforming a specific function. Mostly these systems are used for decorativeand protective purposes, but depending on the surface to cover and theenvironmental conditions in service, additional properties are required.Examples of these films with additional functionalities, known as functionalcoatings, are self-cleaning, easy-to-clean (antigraffiti), self-healing, anticorrosive,hygienic, and antifouling [4-6].