We develop customized paints and coatings for indoor and outdoor applications. We also perform corona treatments as well as a broad range of tests to characterize coatings and surfaces.

Attophotonics uses physical- chemical and wet chemical techniques e.g.

Also in the field of lacquer and coating technology we develop equipment for laboratory use or industrial applications e.g. sputter coaters, thermo-mixers, spray coating units or reactors for coating of pigments. See also Engineering.

Corona treatment (also referred to as ‘plasma surface treatment’) is a surface modification technique with diverse applications. For instance, it may be used to reduce the surface hydrophobicity of plastics, paper and textiles or render foils less gas-permeable.

Surface Characterization To investigate the micro- and nanostructure of conducting as well as non-conducting surfaces we employ • atomic force microscopy (AFM) • scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) • transillumination microscopy, • reflected-light microscopy and • fluorescence microscopy

Attophotonics works with various lacquer systems, among them • two part epoxy coatings • baking finishes • ORCOMER coatings • transparent conducting layers • UV-coatings • polyaniline and polypyrrole coatings ... By blending with additives – e.g. polymers, waxes, nanoparticle dispersions – the lacquers are adapted in order to meet our customers’ demands. The processibility of the modified lacquers is tested and optimized on in house printing lines and lacquering facilities (see also Lab Equipment). A variety of instruments and standardized methods are employed to characterize mechanical and optical properties (see below: Tribology & Surface Analyses).

• sputter coating • thermal flash evaporation • monolayer self-assembly • wet chemical deposition • spin coating • spray coating • dip coating • nano coating • ..

Corona treatment (also referred to as ‘plasma surface treatment’) is a surface modification technique with diverse applications. For instance, it may be used to reduce the surface hydrophobicity of plastics, paper and textiles or render foils less gas-permeable.

(Paint) Adhesion Testing via • cross-cut test (DIN 53151) • pull-off test (DIN EN 2409) • adhesion µ-profiling of surfaces for lamination or film coating Corrosion Testing The salt spray test (DIN 50021) is a standardized test to analyze corrosion resistance of (coated) samples. The test is performed in-house in a 450 l test chamber. Samples may be treated with NaCl- solutions, diluted acidic acid or sulfur-containing solution.

Antibacterial Coatings Photo-catalytic (TiO2, WO3,…) or chemo-active (Ag & Cu) antibacterial coatings prevent or at least suppress colonization by microorganisms.

Die PRESSE Article 4 pages

Background: An electrical high- voltage discharge at the corona unit induces chemical processes in the surface of the treated material leading to the formation of polar groups e.g. • with O2 --> C=O, OH, COOH • various metastable radicals • NH3 --> NH2 • with N2 --> NH,NH2 • with Ar --> chain breakage • radicals • followed by oxidation

Nano-composite Lacquers By addition of nanoparticles the mechanical properties of e.g. lacquers (hardness, abrasion resistance, abrasion profile) can be improved without compromising color, brilliance or translucency.

In the corona unit of Attophotonics’ nano-printing- station films with a max. width of 30 cm and a length of up to 1 km can be treated.

Layer Thickness Testing The thickness of coatings can be measured via • atomic force microscopy (AFM) • impedance measurements • interference measurements (in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt)