ADVANCED COATING PERFORMANCE WITH GUP®
GUP® few-layer graphene additives can help paint and coating formulations achieve higher performance while supporting more sustainable material development. By enhancing durability, corrosion resistance, adhesion, thermal dissipation, and functional protection, GUP® enables coating systems designed for demanding industrial applications. Longer-lasting coatings may help reduce maintenance, repainting frequency, and material waste, while opening new possibilities for advanced protective and multifunctional surfaces. For formulators looking to improve performance and environmental responsibility, GUP® offers a practical pathway toward next-generation paints and coatings.
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.
Anti-Fouling
anti-fouling properties of graphene coatings significantly reduce biofouling, curtailing the growth of harmful microorganisms
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
Oxygen/Gas Barrier
graphene can significantly enhance the barrier properties of coatings, providing resistance against water, gases, and other invasive materials
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
UV Resistance
graphene-based coatings provide superior UV resistance, preventing material degradation
Main Applications
Pipelines & Storage Tanks
Containers
Wind Turbines
Car Frames
Marine
Speciality Coatings
Bridges
Facades & Interiors
ADDIGUP® Products for Paints & Coating Industry
Low Addition
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
GUP® products are available for all type of formulations, both solventborne and waterborne. Easy to use without increasing the viscosity
Sustainability
GUP® 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 chromateorzinc phosphate based pigments
High Performance
GUP® 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 of around 1.02-1.8 nm; when incorporated in composite coatings creates an extraordinary physical barrier, and it can 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 maximum corrosion resistance. The well-dispersed graphene sheets with vast interfacial areas can affect the behavior 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 obtaining an anisotropic composite coating.
Zinc-rich primers (ZRPs) are some of the most widely used and effective materials for protecting steels against corrosion. Their anti-corrosion 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 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 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
In a marine environment, both graphene and bacteria have negative charges. When GUP® is incorporated into antifouling coatings, the negative charges of the coating are enhanced. This increases the electrostatic repulsion between the bacteria and the coatings, reducing the adhesion of bacteria.
GUP® nanoparticles have a large lateral size and high surface area, which is beneficial for loading with other nanoparticles. This leads to improved antifouling properties due to the synergistic effect. GUP® is mesoporous and has a unique layered nanostructure and super-large specific surface area, which can fully cover the surface of copper oxide particles. 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 undoubtedly prolong the antifouling periods.
Based on the synergy of the two functions above, the marine antifouling coating containing graphene and Cu2O has a preferable antifouling performance than that containing Cu2O.
Foul release coatings (FRCs), such as silicone, have poor mechanical strength, which limits their practical applications. When ADDIGUP® is incorporated into the silicone, it enhances the mechanical properties of FRCs due to the superior 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 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 worldwide energy usage. By integrating GUP® into the paint formulation, buildings can become more energy-efficient, reducing 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.
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