Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #292273
Title: Protein-based nanoparticles for hydrophilic coating

Author
item Kim, Sanghoon
item Biswas, Atanu
item Evans, Kervin

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/12/2013
Publication Date: 5/16/2013
Citation: Kim, S., Biswas, A., Evans, K.O. 2013. Protein-based nanoparticles for hydrophilic coating. Proceedings of the 2013 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Expo. 1:581-584.

Interpretive Summary: In this research, we present a method for the production of nanoparticles that is composed of a cereal protein and a biodegradable synthetic polymer. Nanoparticles are small particles that are not visible with naked eyes. The produced nanoparticles have such a strong adsorption characteristic that they can be used as a coating material on the surface of non-wetting objects. If transparent window materials such as glass or Plexiglas are coated with these nanoparticles, the visibility will improve on rainy days without deteriorating its transparency. The presented product can be commercialized in the form of window-coating products. Since both protein and poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate) are degradable polymers, the developed nanoparticles are degradable. This research has provided a manufacturing process for the development of surface-coating solutions. Scientists in industry and academia developing surface-modifying products would benefit.

Technical Abstract: Cyanoacrylate nanoparticles have been studied in great detail over the past three decades. Conventionally, the mechanism of polymerization is anionic where the initiating species is the hydroxyl anion that was derived from dissociation of water. In the current research, amphiphilic copolymers were synthesized by utilizing amine groups on the surface of protein molecules as initiator for the polymerization. The produced amphiphilic copolymer forms stable nanoparticle suspension in the reaction medium. The suspension containing these nanoparticles has an excellent coating capability on the surface of hydrophobic materials. A simple spray coating changes the wetting property of the material instantly and dramatically. Spray coating of window-glasses improves visibility on rainy days. Since both protein and poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate) are degradable polymers, the developed nanoparticles are degradable.