Each year, over 700 million gallons of architectural paint are sold in the United States.  Self-assembly of latex-pigment composites facilitates higher performing paints and reduced environmental impact.  Understanding and tuning pigment-latex surface interactions under industrially relevant conditions allowed this novel technology to replace some conventional paint binders.  Titanium dioxide, TiO2 is the most commonly used pigment in paint.  TiO2 particles scatter light, resulting in an opaque coating that allows the paint to cover the surface beneath it.  However, TiO2 is often the most costly and energy intensive component in paint cans.  Additionally, agglomerations of TiO2 particles can reduce opacity and create defects in the paint film due to pigment-pigment interactions.  Therefore, the coatings industry looks for ways to reduce the use of TiO2 to improve environmental and performance impacts, while maintaining the opacity.  Replacing conventional paint binders with adsorbing latex technology allows more evenly distributed TiO2 during paint manufacturing and in the final paint film.  Self-assembly of latex-pigment composite not only improves the opacity and economics of the paint, but can also lessen the paint's environmental impact while improving durability.  Reducing the use of TiO2 can improve the paint eco-profile as demonstrated by a third-party validated life cycle assessment demonstrating a reduction in the carbon footprint by up to 22.5% in exterior house paints.  The novel latex-pigment composite technology also offers a unique paint architecture that contributes to improved barrier properties and paint durability.  The adsorbing latex technology has been commercialized and is sold globally to a number a of paint companies.

Latex-pigment interactions in paint to reduce environmental impact and improve performance

248th National Meeting (2014)

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