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Room Temperature, Force-Activated Cross-Linked Coatings from Reactive Core-Shell Particles
Jichao Song1, Thanh Uyen Hao Le1, Meng-Chen Chiang1
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts01003-9303, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed novel reactive core-shell particles (CSPs) for ambient-cure powder coatings. These shelf-stable particles form robust films on demand at room temperature, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional high-temperature curing systems.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Coatings Technology
Background:
- Conventional powder coatings reduce VOC emissions but require high-temperature curing for cross-linking.
- A need exists for ambient-cure powder coating systems to lower energy consumption and substrate limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop shelf-stable, reactive core-shell particles (CSPs) for on-demand, room-temperature powder coatings.
- To investigate the film formation and mechanical properties of CSP-based coatings with varying amine-to-epoxy ratios.
Main Methods:
- Suspension polymerization to synthesize amine and epoxy CSPs with protective shells.
- Force-activated compression at room temperature for film formation.
- Characterization using SEM, gel content analysis, and tensile testing.
Main Results:
- Successfully formed freestanding cross-linked films from dry CSP mixtures at room temperature.
- The 1:2 amine-to-epoxy ratio achieved high gel content (44.6 wt%) after mild post-cure at 70°C.
- Coatings exhibited a significant increase in Young's modulus from ~37 MPa at 20°C to ~107 MPa after 70°C post-cure.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated the feasibility of freestanding, cross-linked powder coatings cured at ambient temperatures.
- Provided design guidelines for developing next-generation ambient-curable industrial coatings.
- Highlighted the potential of CSPs for energy-efficient and versatile coating applications.
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