Fast forward to the 21st century, where nanotechnology has exponentially evolved into an exciting and rapidly growing frontier. It has transformed the landscape of industrial energy conservation, computer science, biomedicine, electronics, diagnostic biosensors, drug delivery systems, imaging probes, and paints, coatings, and adhesives.

According to the American Coatings Association, in the coatings field, nanoparticles with dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometers (nm) can modify the physical properties of traditional coatings. This allows coating systems to respond to environmental stimuli in a “smart” manner or function as independent coatings with unique characteristics unavailable to less sophisticated barrier coatings.

Nanomaterials and structures exhibit unique properties due to their relatively large surface area, resulting in a very high surface-area-to-weight ratio compared to traditional paint additives.
 

The accidentally discovered carbon dots (C-dots), which are less than 10 nm in diameter, are becoming more affordable and increasingly interesting for use in photovoltaic devices, biosensing (e.g., smart coatings), and drug delivery. Since graphene was discovered in 2004, it has provided a carbon-based foundation for almost every engineering pursuit involving materials. New chemistries that allow metal atoms to be enclosed are creating previously unknown organic compounds.

The most dramatic and sophisticated advances in nanotechnology have been achieved in the medical field. However, intriguing innovations have also emerged in coatings, paints, and adhesives. Adding extremely small nanoparticle raw materials can enhance the properties of paints, varnishes, and adhesives beyond simple barrier chemistry. Recent advances in processing enable nanoparticles to be used as stand-alone coatings, applied as thin films with improved adhesion and surface characteristics. Research is ongoing to develop in-situ nanostructures within coatings to further enhance their physical and mechanical properties.

A wide variety of enhancements have been made to traditional paints and coatings using nanoparticles. These additions can sometimes alter the intrinsic physical and chemical properties of resins and coatings. Therefore, careful attention to the concentration of these additives is necessary to achieve desired improvements without compromising the existing characteristics