Nano coating for wooden and glass surfaces

Sol-gel method can be used to create nanofilms on different surfaces. Concerning the coating of wood for coloring, toughening and biocide treatment, sol-gel technique has been suggested without realizing functionalized wood. The coating of thermally treated wood for indoor use is a completely new powerful approach of functionalizing in an easy, cheap, sustainable and flexible way.

During the sol-gel process the functionalized monomers (precursors) are partly hydrolyzed in a controlled way leading to polymerization and cross-linking to form nanoparticles with a diameter of 10 nm. These nanoparticle sols can be applied to the wooden surface by conventional coating techniques like dipping, spraying and brushing. After drying, the coating becomes a functionalized layer of about 20 nm thickness. Functionalities to be incorporated are coloration, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, oleo phobic, biocide and anti-static properties. But also fire retardant and non technical functionalities like anti-sliding and the surface feel such as velvet or leather are the properties most desired by users. A chemical bond is formed between the coating and the wood surface by means of the present functional alcoholic groups. The durability of the coating will be high because the functionality does not get lost due to cleaning.

The sol-gel process is also used to produce glasses without high temperature melting. This made possible the organic modification of silicon compounds (ORMOSIL), which cannot withstand high temperatures. Thus there is a huge possibility for these organic modifications as the process can be used to introduce functionalities.