Chapter 7 Rheology of nanoscale polymer-based coatings

Polymers are viscoelastic complex fluids, and their final processability is directly related to rheological properties. Understanding the viscoelastic effects and flow characteristics of polymeric systems is essential to optimize the design of new materials for specific applications, such as polymer-based nanocoatings. Nanocoatings are used in a wide range of surfaces including foods, fruits, plastics, glass, metals, ceramics, and textiles. The results obtained by rheological characterization of nanocoatings can provide valuable information about their improved characteristics when compared to the conventional microscale, besides making it possible to optimize their processing conditions to obtain materials in less time, with lower consumption of polymers, reagents, and energy. The rheological features of nanocoatings can also dictate their application method (i.e., dipping, spraying, extrusion), as well as predict their stability over time.