When it comes to paint, there are two main types people can chose from, latex or oil-based. But now, a new option has been developed at Queen’s University that promises a more environmentally-friendly choice.
Philip Jessop, the Canada Research Chair in Green Chemistry, Michael Cunningham (Chemical Engineering), and graduate student Jaddie Ho have developed a water-based paint that behaves more like a solvent-based paint (also known as oil-based paint) – except the solvent in this case is not an organic solvent, but carbonated water.
Due to its increased toughness and very low environmental impact, this paint might be suitable for a broader range of applications compared with traditional latex paints, including appliances and office furniture.
“Most consumers already use water-based paints, because high performance isn’t needed when you paint your living room,” Dr. Jessop explains. “However, industry still uses oil-based paints when they paint something they just manufactured, because they need the paint to be hard, glossy, scratch-resistant, and incredibly smooth. By giving industry a water-based paint that works the same way as an oil-based paint, we hope to reduce organic solvent emissions from industrial operations and thereby reduce harm to the environment and health risks to workers.”
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