Lubrizol
University of Sheffield | Chemistry

Making water-based coatings work better and more sustainably.

Coatings help protect and improve products ranging from vehicles to everyday household items. Traditionally, coatings have relied on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as the bulk solvent, which can contribute to air pollution and environmental harm. Water-based alternatives can reduce these impacts, but they are not always easy to formulate: pigment particles must remain evenly dispersed, the coating must flow correctly during manufacturing and application, and the formulation must remain stable over time.

Chloe’s research will investigate how the ingredients in water-based coatings interact, focusing on the way dispersants interact with pigment particles and prevent them from aggregating. By understanding properties such as dispersed pigment particle size, surface charge and flow behaviour, she will build a clearer picture of how formulation choices affect stability, viscosity and overall coating quality. The project will also assess the use of biosurfactants and more efficient milling processes to further reduce environmental impact.

The aim is to establish practical, science-based design rules for water-borne coatings that perform reliably while using fewer harmful ingredients and less energy. The findings will help develop more sustainable coatings without compromising the quality and consistency that the industry, and ultimately the end-use customer requires.