DELPHI LABS introduces NOVEL INORGANIC BINDER & PRIMER to US MARKET

Delphi Lab’s New Binder Offers Researchers Best Delivery System for Their Latest Product Offerings

Delphi Labs is pleased to announce the introduction of a unique silica binder with strong adhesion and transparency that is effective for a wide range of functional materials. This binder technology is supplied by our business partner and manufacturer, Sketch, Inc. of Tokyo, Japan. Sketch is a pioneer in binder technology.

One of the challenges that researchers face today in developing nano-sized photocatalysts or anti-microbial materials is to find a delivery system or binder to hold the new material in place without degrading the desired performance of the new material. Photocatalysts such as titanium dioxide or titanium phosphate are only effective to the extent of the exposed surface area of the catalyst. Sketch, Inc., has developed a silica binder to hold such functional ingredients in place. Because this binder is ultra-thin, transparent and long-lasting, it is ideal for a variety of functional materials.

Delphi Labs already uses this binder as the basis for its Asgard™ series of protective coatings. These coatings include such functional ingredients as tin oxide to reduce static electricity, silver ions to fight bacteria, iodine to fight mold and titanium dioxide to break down most organic components of stains and odor.

Companies who have developed their own functional materials are invited to contact Delphi Labs. We are happy to modify the composition of the binder so as to maximize the functionality of each customer’s unique ingredients.

Sketch’s Binder Technology

All surfaces, including glass, polycarbonates and stainless steel, may appear flat, but in fact they have minute bumps and indentations that cannot be seen. Using our binder technology, it is now possible to bind to virtually any material by making use of a variety of silica particles between 5 and 30 nanometers in size. And because we are using very small particles of silica, those particles that must be exposed to the surface to be effective such as the photocatalyst titanium dioxide or the static-electricity reducer tin oxide are easily able to reach the surface to achieve a high rate of functionality. Because each substrate is different, the optimal binder may vary with the given substrate.

1. Highly adhesive coating that adheres whether substrate is organic or inorganic. Please note that the appropriate primer may vary with the substrate.
2. Extremely safe, reliable and long-lasting because it is inorganic.
3. Highly transparent because it uses minute silica particles (10~30nm).
4. By controlling the placement of the silica particles, we are able to ensure that adequate portions of the photocatalyst, for example, break through the surface and provide the photocatalytic effect. Please note that if a product’s binder is not effective, the binder itself may cover the photocatalyst and reduce the catalytic effect.
5. Appropriate for all markets, including professional use, DIY and OEM markets.
6. Effective with a membrane of only 0.1~0.2 microns thick, one liter can cover up to 100 square meters.
7. Because the membrane is thin, the cost is very low making it attractive to all markets.
8. Easy application. Formulated to go on evenly without blotches. Applies directly to the substrate as it is. A very uniform coat can be obtained by applying with a specialized spray gun.

Today, in the stain prevention market, photocatalytic self-cleaning coatings using titanium dioxide are rapidly expanding throughout the world. However, because photocatalysts have the ability to break down organic matter, primers are absolutely required when applying to paint, polycarbonates and acrylic resins. Unfortunately, there are no inorganic primers available today that adhere strongly to these surfaces. Moreover, because polycarbonates and acrylics have complex molecular structures, they are easily tarnished or stained when wet.

After many years of research, building on our earlier advances in binder technology, we have successfully developed a binder that resolves these challenges. Through adding a powerful visible-light photocatalyst composed of titanium dioxide or anti-mold iodine to our binder, we can add functionality to this coating which can then be applied to nearly any substrate to create an easy maintenance surface.

More importantly, we are willing to work with developers of other catalysts or functional materials to tailor the optimal binder for our customers’ materials