Principles and Functions of Functional Coatings for Indoor Decoration

Detailed Explanation and Table

Antimicrobial and Anti-Mold Coatings

• Principle: Antimicrobial agents in the coating activate oxygen in the air or water to produce hydroxyl radicals and reactive oxygen species. These highly reactive radicals can disrupt the DNA double helix structure of microorganisms, inhibiting their DNA replication and causing metabolic disorders, thereby killing or inhibiting bacterial growth. Additionally, these active ions can adsorb onto cell membranes, preventing bacteria from absorbing essential nutrients like amino acids and uracil.
• Function: Effectively inhibit or kill bacteria and mold, maintaining indoor air quality and preventing mold growth and bacterial proliferation, which helps prevent the spread of diseases. Particularly suitable for humid environments such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.

Fire-Resistant Coatings

• Principle: Fire-resistant coatings work by isolating the surface from air or forming an expanded insulating layer when exposed to high temperatures, which delays combustion. Additionally, these coatings undergo chemical reactions at high temperatures that reduce the concentration of oxygen in the air, thereby inhibiting combustion.
• Function: In the event of a fire, these coatings can effectively slow down the spread of flames, providing valuable time for evacuation and firefighting efforts, reducing fire damage, and enhancing the fire safety of buildings. They are commonly used to protect combustible materials in indoor environments.

Temperature-Indicating Coatings

• Principle: Reversible temperature-indicating coatings change color due to phase transitions of thermochromic pigments when heated, or changes in pH, or loss of crystalline water. Irreversible temperature-indicating coatings change color due to thermal decomposition, sublimation, or solid-phase reactions of the pigments.
• Function: These coatings can visually indicate changes in surface temperature, serving as a warning. They help detect temperature anomalies in a timely manner, preventing safety issues caused by excessively high or low temperatures. They are suitable for temperature-sensitive equipment or areas, such as heating pipes and electrical devices.

Conductive Coatings

• Principle: Conductive coatings come in two types: additive-based and non-additive-based. Additive-based conductive coatings incorporate conductive fillers into an insulating base material, which provide free electron carriers to achieve conductivity. Non-additive conductive coatings use conductive polymers as the base film-forming material, which have inherent conductive properties. Conductive polymers, which have conjugated structures, can provide free electrons and thus conduct electricity. Doping introduces mobile charge carriers that move along the polymer chains and transfer between chains to achieve conductivity.
• Function: These coatings are used in areas requiring electrical conductivity or static prevention, such as electronic device workshops, hospital operating rooms, and computer rooms. They prevent the accumulation of static electricity, avoiding safety hazards such as fires, explosions, or interference with electronic equipment, ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment.

Nano Stealth Coatings

• Principle: Nano stealth coatings work in two ways. First, the size of nano particles is much smaller than the wavelength of infrared and radar waves, allowing nano materials to have a higher transmittance for these wavelengths and significantly reducing the reflection of waves. This makes it difficult for infrared detectors and radar to detect the reflected signals, achieving a stealth effect. Second, the specific surface area of nano particles is 3 to 4 orders of magnitude larger than that of conventional powders, which enhances their absorption of infrared light and electromagnetic waves. This further reduces the strength of the reflected signals detected by infrared detectors and radar, making it difficult to detect the target.
• Function: Primarily used in the military field to make military targets invisible to radar and infrared detection devices, reducing the risk of detection and enhancing the survivability of military facilities and equipment. In civilian applications, they can also be used in places that require reduced electromagnetic interference, such as communication base stations and radar stations.

Organosilicon Waterproof Coatings

• Principle: The organosilicon components in these waterproof coatings have excellent water-repellent properties. The silicon-oxygen bonds in their molecular structure are highly stable, forming a dense waterproof film that prevents water penetration.
• Function: These coatings effectively prevent water penetration, protecting walls from moisture damage and mold growth, extending the life of buildings. They are suitable for indoor walls, floors, bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas prone to moisture.

Elastic Interior Wall Coatings

• Principle: Made from synthetic resin emulsions, pigments, fillers, and additives, these coatings form an elastic film when applied in a certain thickness (dry film thickness ≥ 150μm), which can cover fine cracks caused by substrate expansion and contraction.
• Function: Suitable for indoor walls, especially in areas where wall expansion and contraction need to be prevented, such as living rooms and bedrooms. They help maintain the aesthetic appearance of walls and reduce maintenance costs.

Stain-Resistant Interior Wall Coatings

• Principle: These coatings are formulated with synthetic resin emulsions, pigments, fillers, and additives to create a smooth, stain-resistant thin film when applied.
• Function: Ideal for indoor walls, particularly in areas prone to staining, such as children’s rooms and kitchens. They facilitate easy cleaning and help maintain the cleanliness of walls.

Formaldehyde-Removing Interior Wall Coatings

• Principle: These coatings contain components that can adsorb and decompose formaldehyde, such as activated carbon and photocatalysts. They work by physically adsorbing formaldehyde and then chemically breaking it down into harmless substances.
• Function: Suitable for newly decorated indoor environments, these coatings can effectively reduce indoor formaldehyde levels, improve indoor air quality, and protect human health.

Reflective Insulating Energy-Saving Coatings

• Principle: These coatings work in three ways: First, they reflect solar radiation in the visible and infrared spectrum (400-2500nm), preventing heat accumulation on surfaces. Second, they provide thermal insulation by forming a vacuum layer with hollow ceramic microspheres, reducing heat transfer between the interior and exterior. Third, they radiate absorbed solar heat into outer space through infrared emission, achieving a cooling effect.
• Function: Suitable for building exteriors and roofs, these coatings can effectively reduce surface and indoor temperatures, decreasing the frequency of air conditioning use and achieving energy savings.

Luminous Energy-Storage Coatings

• Principle: These coatings contain luminous pigments that absorb and store light energy, which is then gradually released as visible light in the dark.
• Function: Suitable for areas requiring night-time illumination or indication, such as staircases, corridors, and underground parking lots. They can reduce the need for lighting devices and save energy.

Heat-Resistant Coatings

• Principle: The main types of heat-resistant coatings are silicone resin-based and fluoropolymer-based. Silicone resin coatings have excellent high-temperature resistance and chemical stability, maintaining the integrity and performance of the coating at high temperatures. Fluoropolymer coatings offer superior weather resistance and chemical corrosion resistance, allowing for long-term use in high-temperature and harsh environments.
• Function: Suitable for surfaces of equipment and structures exposed to high temperatures, such as stoves, chimneys, and ovens. They protect the substrate from high-temperature damage and extend the life of equipment.

Self-Cleaning Coatings

• Principle: Self-cleaning coatings have special surface chemistry or microstructures that reduce the surface energy. Water forms droplets rather than films on these surfaces, and as the droplets roll, they carry away dust and dirt, achieving a self-cleaning effect.
• Function: Suitable for outdoor walls and glass facades that are prone to dust and dirt accumulation. They reduce cleaning efforts and maintain the aesthetic appearance of buildings.

Anti-Icing Coatings

• Principle: Anti-icing coatings work by reducing surface energy or altering surface microstructures to prevent the formation of ice crystals, thereby inhibiting icing.
• Function: Suitable for surfaces of aircraft, ships, and power facilities that require ice prevention. They enhance the safety and reliability of equipment in low-temperature environments.

Anti-Fingerprint Coatings

• Principle: These coatings have special surface chemistry or microstructures that reduce the adhesion of fingerprints or make them easy to wipe off.
• Function: Suitable for surfaces of electronic devices and furniture, helping to maintain a clean and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Anti-Graffiti Coatings

• Principle: These coatings have special surface chemistry or microstructures that prevent graffiti paint from adhering or make it easy to wipe off.
• Function: Suitable for public facilities and building exteriors that are prone to graffiti. They help maintain the appearance of buildings and reduce maintenance costs.

Table of Principles and Functions of Functional Coatings for Indoor Decoration

Type of Functional Coating	Principle	Function
Antimicrobial and Anti-Mold Coatings	Active ions activate oxygen to produce radicals that disrupt microbial cell structures or block nutrient absorption	Inhibit or kill bacteria and mold, maintain indoor air quality, prevent mold growth
Fire-Resistant Coatings	Isolate surface from air or form an expanded insulating layer; chemical reactions at high temperatures reduce oxygen concentration	Slow down fire spread, provide time for evacuation and firefighting, reduce fire damage
Temperature-Indicating Coatings	Thermochromic pigments change phase, pH, or lose crystalline water when heated	Indicate surface temperature changes, serve as a warning, prevent temperature-related issues
Conductive Coatings	Conductive fillers provide free electron carriers; conductive polymers with conjugated structures provide free electrons	Prevent static accumulation, avoid static-related hazards, ensure safety of personnel and equipment
Nano Stealth Coatings	Nano particles reduce wave reflection due to small size; high surface area enhances absorption of infrared and electromagnetic waves	Make military targets invisible to radar and infrared detection, reduce detection risk
Organosilicon Waterproof Coatings	Organosilicon components form a dense waterproof film with stable silicon-oxygen bonds	Prevent water penetration, protect walls from moisture damage and mold growth
Elastic Interior Wall Coatings	Synthetic resin emulsions form an elastic film that covers fine cracks	Prevent wall expansion and contraction, maintain wall aesthetics, reduce maintenance costs
Stain-Resistant Interior Wall Coatings	Synthetic resin emulsions create a smooth, stain-resistant thin film	Facilitate easy cleaning, maintain wall cleanliness in areas prone to staining
Formaldehyde-Removing Interior Wall Coatings	Components like activated carbon and photocatalysts adsorb and decompose formaldehyde	Reduce indoor formaldehyde levels, improve air quality, protect health
Reflective Insulating Energy-Saving Coatings	Reflect solar radiation, provide thermal insulation with hollow ceramic microspheres, radiate heat into space	Reduce surface and indoor temperatures, decrease air conditioning use, save energy
Luminous Energy-Storage Coatings	Luminous pigments absorb and store light energy, then release it as visible light in the dark	Provide night-time illumination or indication, reduce lighting device use, save energy
Heat-Resistant Coatings	Silicone resin and fluoropolymer coatings offer high-temperature resistance and chemical stability	Protect surfaces exposed to high temperatures, extend equipment life
Self-Cleaning Coatings	Special surface chemistry or microstructures reduce surface energy, causing water to form droplets that carry away dirt	Reduce cleaning efforts, maintain building appearance
Anti-Icing Coatings	Reduce surface energy or alter microstructures to prevent ice crystal formation	Enhance safety and reliability of equipment in low-temperature environments
Anti-Fingerprint Coatings	Special surface chemistry or microstructures reduce fingerprint adhesion or make them easy to wipe off	Maintain clean and aesthetically pleasing appearance of electronic devices and furniture
Anti-Graffiti Coatings	Special surface chemistry or microstructures prevent graffiti paint adhesion or make it easy to wipe off	Maintain building appearance, reduce maintenance costs in areas prone to graffiti