Ashland is very excited to announce that Zeena Cherian’s research paper was selected as the best paper for the 2020 American Coatings Conference (ACC). The paper is entitled “New Techniques to Understand Stain Resistance Properties of Interior Water-Based Architectural Paints”.

Coatings science colleagues throughout the United States selected Zeena from 96 other papers, based in large part to the strong research method and broad utility to the coatings industry.

“This is a great achievement for Zeena”, Hilbert Esselbrugge, head of innovation for Specialty Additives said. “It is the first time in the history of the Coatings team that an Ashland paper has been selected for this honor.”

The American Coatings Association planned to present this award to Zeena in Indianapolis during the April 2020 American Coatings Show and Conference. However, since the tradeshow was cancelled, the conference portion will now be available virtually starting in May.

Abstract below:

New techniques to understand stain resistance properties of interior water-based architectural paints

Today’s discerning consumers are looking into water-based interior architectural paints with Low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), superior aesthetics, application flow performance as well as end-use properties, namely scrub and stain resistance. Stain resistance is the ability of the coating surface to withstand discoloration caused by contact to various type stains. There is a concerted effort in the coating industry to develop interior water-based paints with improved stain resistance to hydrophilic and hydrophobic stains. Achieving stain-resistant properties for the paints require a combination of tailored polymer dispersions, balanced paint formulation ingredients and efficient use of rheology modifiers. Paint industry has internal test methods to assess the stain resistance to common household stains which are based on a subjective visual rating scale.

This study details new approaches to understand the stain resistant property of coatings. Molecular modeling has been used to simulate stain interaction with key components of the paint formulations. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has been used to study the coating surface chemistry. Additionally, an in-situ stain adsorption and de-sorption technique using a Quartz-Crystal Microbalance (QCM) sensor will also be highlighted. The objective of the study is to understand the overall mechanism of stain interaction that will help in formulating and fine-tuning improved stain-resistant coatings.

To view the full abstract presentation click here.