Range of Services – Department „Functional Coating“ (Dresden)

Below you find an overview of our range of services. Feel free to contact us, and we will work together to find a solution for your application. We look forward to collaborating on research projects or third-party service contracts.

Modification of Surface Properties

A wide range of substrate properties is significantly influenced by its surface chemistry and topography. Through coatings and chemical and physical surface modifications, surface properties can be precisely tailored.

• hydrophobicity, oleophobicity
• non-stick coatings, easy-to-clean surfaces
• friction reduction and wear protection
• antifouling and antimicrobial coatings
• UV- and corrosion protection
• optical functional coatings (e.g., anti-reflective, transmission, or polarization coatings)
• photocatalytically active coatings

Coating and Encapsulation Technologie

• Sol-Gel synthesis and coatings
• dip coating
• spray coating
• vacuum impregnation of porous solids
• continuous coating of flexible substrates such as paper, films, and textiles (maximum width: 25 cm)
• spray drying
• thermal treatment/curing (temperatures up to 1000°C)
• corona/microwave plasma activation of surfaces

Application of Functional Coatings to various Materials

• wood
• paper & cardboard
• metal
• glass
• plastics
• textiles

Immobilization of active Compunds and Microorganisms

• immobilization of (living) bacteria, fungi, and algae on surfaces or in granules and gels
• antimicrobial protective coatings and testing of antimicrobial efficacy
• photochemically active substances
• essential oils
• dyes
• controlled release of active ingredients

Analysis & Characterization of Coatings

Coatings and surface modifications can significantly enhance the properties of a substrate. For the development and application of suitable coating systems, it is essential to control the layer structure, thickness, uniformity, and patterning, as well as the functional properties. Our expert section offers a wide range of methods for this purpose: In addition to microscopic techniques, we also provide numerous chemical, physical, and microbiological methods for layer characterization and effectiveness verification.

Analysis of optical properties

• spectrophotometry for transmission and reflection measurements in UV/VIS/IR
• scatter analysis

Analysis of structural properties

• topography and roughness analysis (confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, etc.)
• morphology analysis (light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy SEM)
• material analysis (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy EDX)
• ellipsometry / layer thickness measurement

Analysis of durability and mechanical properties

• low-temperature and climate cycling testing (ISO)
• temperature stability
• global radiation testing under defined climate conditions
• hot air sterilization and autoclaving
• solubility testing
• abrasion testing (ISO)
• tape test for adhesion analysis of coatings (ISO)
• scratch resistance and nanoscratching
• hardness testing / Young’s modulus analysis
• layer tension analysis

Analysis of functional properties

• wettability analysis (contact angle measurement, determination of hydrophobic, hydrophilic, oleophobic, oleophilic properties, fogging analysis)
• electrical coating properties (sheet resistance, specific resistance, carrier density, carrier mobility)
• dissolution tests for controlled release of active substances
• assessment of photocatalytic activity (e.g., degradation of methylene blue)
• evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy (microbiological inhibition and activity tests)

Microscopy

• digital microscopy
• fluorescence microscopy
• scanning electron microscopy / EDX
• confocal microscopy

Chemical/physical methods:

• chromatography (GC-MS, HPLC, IC)
• spectroscopy (IR, UV-Vis, ICP)
• material analysis using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)
• surface energy / contact angle measurement
• viscosity measurement
• particle size determination using dynamic light scattering
• ellipsometry / layer thickness measurement
• porosimetry
• surface conductivity measurement
• Karl-Fischer titration (determination of water content)

Microbiological Methods

• investigation of vitality and microbial activity
• testing of antimicrobial efficacy (inhibition and activity tests)

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ANSPRECHPARTNER:
Dr. Ulrich Soltmann
Fachsektion Dresden – “Funktionelle Schichten”
Tel.: 0351 / 2695 343
E-Mail: soltmann@gmbu.de