Researcher Develops Water-Soluble Polymer for Water-Resistant Coatings
WAGENINGEN, the Netherlands - Juan Yang, a Wageningen University PhD student, has developed a new polymer based on a trick used by mussels. The polymer should allow water-based paint to flow better and produce water-resistant coatings.
Water-based paint is better for humans and the environment compared to paint with chemical solvents. Paint based on water, however, still does not carry the same properties as those based on chemicals. For example, the paint flows differently than traditional alkyd systems. Giving a water-based product water-repellent characteristics also presents challenges.