A perspective on nanocomposite coatings for advanced functional applications

Functional coatings provide durability to the bulk material and add other value-added properties which enhance the mechanical, electrical, optical and many other properties of the surface. The functional response of these coatings stems from the ambiance which can be made to sense in response to a sharp change in the temperature, pH, moisture, active ions, or mechanical stresses. Recently, there have been many efforts made to impart multi-functionality within a single coating i.e., to achieve hydrophobicity as well as antifouling characteristics which can for example be achieved by combining an appropriate material of the coating with a geometric nanopattern. Such coatings are poised to shape the future of transport, healthcare, and energy sector including marine, aeronautics, automobile, petrochemical, biomedical, electrical and electronic industries. This perspective sheds light on the design specifications and requirements to fabricate functional coatings and critically discusses the fabrication methods, working principles, and case studies to survey various applications with a particular focus on anticorrosion and self-cleaning applications.