POLYMERIC COATINGS INCLUDING NANOPARTICLE FILLER

1 . A polymeric nanoparticle coating, comprising:

a polymer coating; and

a nanotube filler, wherein in combination with said polymer coating said nanotube filler forms the polymeric nanoparticle coating.

2 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein the nanotube filler includes halloysite nanoparticles.

3 . The coating of claim 2 , wherein said halloysite nanoparticles have a generally tubular shape.

4 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein said polymer coating includes an acrylic polymer.

5 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein said polymer coating includes a methacrylic polymer.

6 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein said polymer coating includes a thermosetting material.

7 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein said polymer coating is selected from the group consisting of:

epoxies;

epoxy-polyester hybrids;

phenolics;

melamines;

urethanes; and

copolymers thereof.

8 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein said polymer coating includes a thermoplastic material.

9 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein said polymer coating includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

polyesters;

silicones;

acrylic polymers;

methacrylic polymers;

fluoropolymers;

polyurethanes;

and polystyrene;

biopolymers; and

copolymers thereof.

10 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein said polymer includes a latex polymer.

11 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein said nanotube filler further includes at least one compatibilization agent.

12 . The coating of 11 , wherein said compatibilization agent is an organic compound.

13 . The coating of claim 11 , wherein said compatibilization agent includes an organosilane.

14 . The coating of claim 11 , wherein said composite exhibits a storage modulus greater than that of said polymer without filler.

15 . The coating of claim 11 , wherein said polymer consists essentially of latex polymer.

16 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein said nanotube filler includes halloysite nanoparticles having a generally cylindrical shape and exhibiting differential surface charges to form a localized network of tubes arranged generally end to wall.

17 . The coating of claim 3 , wherein said nanoparticles include a metal cladding thereon.

18 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein said nanotubes include at least one agent for elution.

19 . The coating of claim 18 , wherein said agent for elution is selected from the group consisting of: biocides; minerals; light emitting substances; fluorescent substances; phosphorescent substances; colorants; antioxidants; emulsifiers; antifungal agents; pesticides; fragrances; dyes; optical brighteners; fire retardants; self-healing polymers; lubricants, and combinations thereof.

20 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein the nanotubes are selected from the group consisting of:

imogolite;

cylindrite; and

boulangerite.

21 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein the nanotubes are selected from the group consisting of:

tubular 1:1 sheet silicates, including those with effective area mismatches per charge in apposed octahedral and tetrahedral layers;

tubular double layer hydroxides, including those with effective area mismatches per charge in apposed octahedral and tetrahedral layers;

tubular metal sulfides;

tubular metal selenides

tubular metal tellurides;

surfactant templated silica nanotubes;

metal silicate nanotubes;

metal aluminosilicate nanotubes;

metal germanate nanotubes;

tubular metal oxide;

tubular metal hydroxides;

boron-containing nanotubes; and

organic nanotubes.

22 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein said polymer coating includes a gel.

23 . A method for making a polymer nanocomposite coating, including:

producing a milled halloysite having a nanotubular structure; and

combining a polymer material with said surface treated halloysite to form the polymer composite.

24 . The method of claim 23 , where the milled halloysite is produced using an air milling process.

25 . The method of claim 23 , further including drying said surface treated halloysite.

26 . The method of claim 23 , further including surface modifying the halloysite.

27 . The method of claim 23 , further including forming the polymer nanocomposite coating using a process for application of the polymer nanocomposite selected from the group consisting of: roller coating, slide bead coating, slot coating, knife or blade metering, free jet coating, rod metering, die coating, bead coating, dip coating, spray coating, casting, non-contact coating, screen printing, curtain coating, solid-film coating, metered film press coating, air knife coating, gravure coating and powder coating.

28 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said halloysite material is surface modified by exposure to a compatibilization agent.

29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein said compatibilization agent includes an organic compound.

30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein said organic compound is selected from the group consisting of: neutral and ionic compounds.

31 . The method of claim 28 , wherein said compatibilization agent includes an inorganic compound.

32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein said inorganic compound is selected from the group consisting of: neutral, ionic and zwitterionic compounds.

33 . The method of claim 28 , wherein said compatibilization agent is selected from the group consisting of: organosilane; organozirconate; and organotitanate agents.

34 . The method of claim 28 , further including air milling the surface treated halloysite.

35 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said halloysite is combined with said polymer to produce a composite including a range of about 1 to about 20 weight-percent halloysite.

36 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said halloysite is combined with said polymer to produce a composite including a range of about 5 to about 15 weight-percent halloysite.

37 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said halloysite is combined with said polymer to produce a composite including about 10 weight-percent halloysite.

38 . The method of claim 23 , further including adding at least one additive selected from the group consisting of: colorants, antioxidants, emulsifiers, biocides, antifungal agents, pesticides, fragrances, dyes, optical brighteners, self-healing polymers and plasticizers, lubricants, and fire retardants.

39 . The method of claim 23 , further including:

coating the halloysite with a metal;

drying the coated halloysite to provide hollow micro-capillary spaces; and

filling the micro-capillary spaces by exposing the dried halloysite to an active agent and the agent's carrier or solvent.

40 . The method of claim 39 , wherein coating the halloysite is accomplished using an electroless deposition process.

41 . The method of claim 39 , further including applying the composite on a surface to provide a conductive coating thereon.

42 . The method of claim 23 , further including associating aa lubricant with the halloysite.

43 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising applying said the nanocomposite coating to only a portion of a substrate surface.

44 . The method of claim 43 , wherein application to the portion of the surface is accomplished using a selective printing technique.