Paints and Coatings

Graphene GUP^® in paints – enhancing quality, promoting sustainability

As an industry-leading producer of graphene, our revolutionary product holds the key to sustainability within the paints and coatings industry.

Graphene’s superior qualities enhance the performance of paints, boosting their durability, resistance to corrosion, and adherence properties. Its unparalleled heat and electrical conductivity allows for energy-efficient thermal coatings. Moreover, the utilization of graphene enables reductions in volatile organic compounds, aligning with worldwide environmental initiatives. The inclusion of our graphene in paint compositions increases lifespan, therefore, reducing the need for repainting and significantly diminishing waste. This transformative material is not merely a value-add, but rather, a necessity in driving the paints and coatings industry towards a more sustainable future.

Through incorporating graphene, we propel the industry to new heights, fostering an era of sustainable development and environmental responsibility.

Main Advantages of GUP^® for Paints & Coatings

Adhesive Strength

graphene can enhance adhesion, improving the paint’s bond with the substrate. its strength. Graphene allows flexibility, preventing cracking or flaking.

Corrosion Resistance

graphene layers offer remarkable corrosion resistance due to their impermeability and provides excellent protection against a wide range of chemicals

Heat Dissipation

graphene can regulate temperature due to graphene’s exceptional thermal conductivity

Antistatic / ESD

graphene in coatings can facilitate electrical conduction, useful in various applications (Ex Proof areas, EMI Shielding)

Durability

graphene-based paints and coatings exhibit superior durability, resisting physical wear and environmental degradation

Oxygen/Gas Barrier

graphene can significantly enhance the barrier properties of coatings, providing resistance against water, gases, and other invasive materials

UV Resistance

graphene-based coatings provide superior UV resistance, preventing material degradation

Anti-Fouling

anti-fouling properties of graphene coatings significantly reduce biofouling, curtailing the growth of harmful microorganisms

Main Applications

Pipelines & Storage Tanks

Wind Turbines

Marine

Bridges

Containers

Car Frames

Speciality Coatings

Facades & Interiors

ADDIGUP^®Products for Paints & Coating Industry

Small Amount Needed

In comparison with other fillers the concentration of graphene needed in a formulation it is of at least 10 times lower. Our graphene creates a synergistic effect with other fillers, like for examples zinc and copper

Compatibility

ADDIGUP^® products are available for all type of formulations, both solventborne and waterborne. Easy to use without increasing the viscosity

Sustainability

ADDIGUP^® products are environmental friendly, non-toxic, heavy metal free and have been developed as a replacement for toxic anti-corrosive pigments like red lead, zinc chromate or strontium chromate and are also an alternative for heavy metal containing zinc phosphate based pigments

High Performance

ADDIGUP^® products are designed for use in premium performance coatings, consistently exceeding your requirements and the needs of the rapidly evolving coating industry

Synergistic Effect of GUP^® with Zinc

Graphene GUP^® has a large lateral size ( ~ 40 μm) and a low thickness around 1.02-1.8 nm, when incorporated in composite coatings creates an extraordinary physical barrier and it is able to retard the penetration process by providing a ‘‘tortuous diffusion path” for corrosion agents.

Moreover, sluggish electrolyte penetration and low water uptake in composite coatings can dramatically enhance their corrosion inhibition performance. In terms of the intrinsic structure, graphene with a high aspect ratio and a low amount of defects typically tends to provide better shielding protection. Besides serving as a labyrinth physical barrier, graphene can also reduce the pore defects in the organic coatings.

The chemo-physical interplay between the graphene nanosheets and the polymer molecules may result from chemical bonding, van der Waals forces, p-interactions (i.e., noncovalent interactions), or electrostatic interactions. Additionally, the conformation of graphene within composite coatings, namely, dispersion, alignment, and continuity of the reinforcement phase in the matrix space, is crucial for achieving the maximum corrosion resistance. The well-dispersed graphene sheets with vast interfacial areas can affect the behaviour of the surrounding polymer resin for several radii of gyration even at ultra-low volume fractions, leading to the formation of a co-continuous network that significantly alters the polymer chains. Aligning graphene nanosheets in a specific direction within the three-dimensional coating matrix enables to obtain an anisotropic composite coating.

Zinc-rich primers (ZRPs) are some of the most widely used and effective materials for protecting steels against corrosion. Their anticorrosion properties mainly depend on cathodic protection by sacrificial anodic dissolution and barrier protection by forming a stable layer of zinc oxidation products. Cathodic protection is only active for a short period of time due to the loss of the electrical contact between the spherical zinc particles and steel substrates, therefore, high zinc content is necessary to ensure electrical conductivity. Nevertheless, the utilization ratio of the zinc particles is very low, due to the isolated effect of the non-conductive binders. In addition, the low utilization of zinc powder results in environmental pollution and is a waste of resources. The electrical conductivity of graphene and its barrier properties improve the anti-corrosion effect not only in terms of cathodic protection performance but of course also in terms of active barrier.

In the presence of graphene, sacrificial protection is the predominant mechanism, which is due to the increase in the electrical connection between the zinc particles and steel substrate. The increased electrical conductivity of the coating, due to the presence of graphene facilitates the charge transfer processes between the zinc particles and steel substrate, avoiding the formation of ferrous ions.

Graphene GUP^®: innovative filler for antifouling coatings

Graphene and bacteria both have negative charges in a marine environment. The incorporation of GUP^® in antifouling coatings enhances the negative charges of the coating, which can increase the electrostatic repulsion between the bacteria and the coatings reducing the adhesion of bacteria.

GUP^® have high surface area and large lateral size that is beneficial when loading with other nanoparticles, which improves antifouling property due to the synergistic effect. GUP^® is mesoporous and has unique layered nanostructure and super-large specific surface area, which can cover the surface of copper oxide particles fully. Therefore, on the one hand, the graphene makes the copper particles disperse homogeneously in the antifouling paints; on the other hand, the graphene also restrains the rapid release of Cu₂O into seawater under the premise of minimum killing ability, which will certainly prolong the antifouling periods.

Based on the synergy of the two functions above, the marine antifouling coating containing graphene and Cu₂O has preferable antifouling performance than that containing Cu₂O.

Foul release coatings (FRCs), such as silicone, have poor mechanical strength, which restricts their practical applications. ADDIGUP^® when incorporated into the silicones enhances the mechanical property of FRCs due to the superior mechanical strength of graphene.

Elevate building sustainability with GUP^®, delivering unmatched durability and exceptional energy efficiency

As buildings stand tall against the test of time, their durability and energy efficiency become critical factors in ensuring their long-term sustainability.

One of the primary advantages of GUP^®-based paint is its ability to enhance the durability of buildings. Traditional paints, over time, are susceptible to weathering, corrosion, and the wear and tear of daily activities. However, when graphene is added to paint, it creates a robust and protective barrier that shields the building’s surface from external factors. Graphene’s exceptional strength and impermeability act as a shield against moisture, mould, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and chemical exposure, thereby prolonging the lifespan of the building.

Beyond durability, graphene-based paint also plays a crucial role in optimizing the energy efficiency of buildings. Energy consumption in buildings accounts for a significant portion of total energy usage worldwide. By integrating GUP^® into the paint formulation, buildings can become more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy costs and a smaller carbon footprint.

Graphene’s unique thermal properties enable it to act as an efficient heat conductor. When applied as a coating, graphene-based paint facilitates better heat dissipation, preventing excessive heat build-up on the building’s surface. By reflecting a portion of the sun’s heat, the paint reduces the demand for air conditioning, especially during hot summer months. Consequently, the building remains cooler, providing a more comfortable environment for occupants while significantly reducing energy consumption.

Furthermore, the incorporation of graphene-based paint can contribute to improving indoor air quality. Traditional paints often release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, leading to health hazards and environmental pollution. Graphene-based paints, on the other hand, have the potential to minimize or eliminate the release of VOCs, creating a healthier and more sustainable indoor environment.