Non copper antimicrobial agents for laminate coatings

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This project will be with Advanced Converting Technologies (ACTI), a Canadian company that focuses on custom adhesive coatings and laminating processes. ACTI has begun the development of an innovative antifouling protective film for marine applications that is resistant to algae, barnacles and marine growth. The problem ACTI is facing is that during film manufacture, their novel coatings are giving non-uniform dispersion of antimicrobial agent and significant failures due to pinhole defects in the top coat. More importantly, they are motivated to find alternative less-toxic solutions to copper-based coatings necessitating the need for a formulation study investigating several non-copper anti-fouling additives. At Western with the Charpentier group we will evaluate the physical, mechanical and chemical parameters of several different marine coating formulations provided by ACTI. First, several current ACTI films/coatings will be tested to understand baseline properties on thickness, contact angle and mechanical properties. Polymers will be formulated using ACTI proprietary formulations integrating non-Copper additives. Using laboratory lamination and screen printing systems in the Charpentier lab we will evaluate deposition of these polymer systems on backings provided by ACTI. Precise control of the topographical and surface properties will allow us to better understand and control the adhesion and growth of microorganisms and cells to the coating surfaces. Surface energy and hydrophobicity of the coating surface along with anti-fouling will be measured on the various bulk polymer matrices and deposition parameters.