Graphene coating

Sparc Technologies has announced the results of initial test work in water-based acrylic epoxy coatings. The testing has reportedly demonstrated significant corrosion performance improvements through the incorporation of low dosages of carefully selected grades of graphene compared to an unmodified control. Testing has been performed using two industry-recognized electrochemical measurement techniques.

Water-based coatings are gaining prominence due to better environmental credentials compared to more widely used solvent-based coatings which contain fossil fuel derived organic solvents. These results are the first evidence that Sparc has seen whereby graphene significantly improves the corrosion performance of water-based coatings. This extends Sparc’s reach into a new and rapidly growing area of the coatings market where there are clear performance challenges to address. It also complements Sparc’s flagship ecosparc® product range.

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have developed a method for coating lithium-ion battery cathodes with graphene, extending their life and performance. This recent effort may improve lithium-ion battery performance and reduce reliance on cobalt, an element frequently used in lithium-ion batteries that is difficult to source sustainably.

Image credit: Caltech

Caltech senior research scientist, David Boyd, has worked over the past decade to develop techniques for manufacturing graphene. In 2015, Boyd and colleagues discovered that high-quality graphene could be produced at room temperature. Prior to this, the production of graphene required extremely high temperatures, up to 1,000 degrees Celsius. After this breakthrough, they searched for new applications for graphene. Recently, Boyd teamed up with Will West, a technologist at Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which Caltech manages for NASA. West specializes in electrochemistry and, in particular, in the development of improved battery technologies. Boyd and West set out to see if graphene could create an improved lithium-ion battery, which they have shown to be possible.

Sparc Technologies has secured AUD$1.12 million (around USD$730,000) in an R&D tax refund, under the Australian Government's R&D Tax Incentive, relating to the 2024 financial year. 

It was stated that this financial boost comes as a recognition of Sparc’s commitment to advancing sustainable technologies in high-performance coatings and polymers. This refund will strengthen the company’s cash position thereby providing continued support for Sparc's investment in Sparc Hydrogen, ecosparc® field trials and its work developing graphene based additives for high performance coatings and polymers

Researchers from Northwestern University and University of California have developed a strategy that prevents frost formation - the team reported a hybrid surface design that passively controls the diffusion of water vapor over a surface to sustain flat frost-free regions for long periods of time. The hybrid anti-frosting technique can prevent frosting for potentially weeks at a time and is scalable, durable and fabricated through 3D printing.

The team found that tweaking the texture of any surface and adding a thin layer of graphene oxide prevents 100% of frost from forming on surfaces for one week or potentially even longer. This is 1,000 times longer than current, state-of-the-art anti-frosting surfaces. As a bonus, the new scalable surface design is also resistant to cracks, scratches and contamination.

CRX Coatings, a Tennessee-based company specializing in graphene-formulated coatings, has entered into the boating industry by launching its new X21 Foul Release Bottom Paint.

CRX Coatings has developed a non-ablative, copper free, biocide-free graphene formula specifically for marine applications. Their innovative approach reportedly ensures maximum performance and durability for boat owners.

Carbon Waters has announced a major milestone with the installation of its first production unit at its facility in Pessac.

Since its inception, Carbon Waters been active in the field of graphene-based performance additives. In 2022, it launched the recurring production of high-performance and ready-to-use additive range, Graph‘Up. These additives are dedicated to anticorrosion paints, mechanical reinforcement, and thermal property optimization of polymers and composites. Summer 2024 marked the arrival of Carbon Waters' first production unit. This investment helps Carbon Waters to multiply its production capacity by fifteen, a major step forward in meeting growing industrial demand.

Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) has provided a business update on the commercialization progress of THERMAL-XR® Powered by GMG Graphene.

GMG and Nu Calgon have signed an agreement with a consultant to prepare and submit a Pre-Manufacture Notice (PMN) for its USA Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) approval to import and sell in the USA, as previously announced in its THERMAL-XR® re-submission. The PMN application is expected to be submitted before the end of October and the potential approval is expected to take less than 12 months. The PMN will be substantially different from the Low Volume Exemption (LVE) PMN GMG previously submitted. The potential PMN EPA approval that GMG will be seeking is expected to be not limited by volume, application and any one particular sector, while the LVE PMN application was limited to 10 tonnes per annum, one application technique and the HVAC sector.

Malaysian energy company PETRONAS has launched its third graphene-based solution, ProTough+,  under its Advanced Materials portfolio to capture new growth opportunities in line with its Energy Transition Strategy.

ProTough+ is an additive that enhances the strength of composite materials by improving their mechanical properties to achieve component light weighting, which is key in manufacturing and delivery of lower carbon solutions such as hydrogen mobility. Tests conducted on carbon fiber reinforced polymers enhanced with ProTough+ reportedly demonstrated an increase of more than 35% in tensile strength. This allows stronger composite parts to be manufactured with less materials, thus supporting fabrication of products that are lighter and more economical. 

Sparc Technologies has announced the execution of a binding agreement (Trial Agreement) with Golden Grove Operations, a wholly owned subsidiary of 29Metals, an Australian miner of base and precious metals.

The Trial Agreement details the terms and conditions under which Sparc and 29Metals will conduct a collaborative field trial involving the application of an ecosparc-enhanced coating on steel processing plant infrastructure at the Golden Grove mine site in Western Australia. Ecosparc is the Company's flagship graphene based additive product.

Gerdau Graphene has announced the availability of NanoCORR Shield, the newest product from its G2D NanoCORR line of anti-corrosion paints and coatings additives. Developed with Gerdau Graphene's exclusive G2D technology, NanoCORR Shield is a graphene-enhanced chemical additive designed to increase the corrosion resistance of solvent-based paints and coatings. NanoCORR Shield has demonstrated a 30-70% increase in corrosion resistance when subjected to salt spray testing.

The addition of a small amount of specially-developed graphene into paints and coatings allows for an increase in the barrier effect against corrosive elements such as water, oxygen, and chlorides. In addition, NanoCORR reduces paint consumption by reducing the nominal thickness of the coating while maintaining the paint or coatings' other characteristics and performance properties.