A model-based solvent selection and design framework for organic coating formulations

Selection of solvents and calculation of their composition in the final product, is a critical step in coating formulation design. This task can be facilitated by computer-aided methods if the necessary thermodynamic and group contribution property models along with chemical property data are available for the ingredients under consideration. However, these computer-aided procedures must be supplemented and verified by using experimental procedures. Hence, the computer-aided stage can be used to speed-up the solvent selection and design process, efficiently utilize experimental resources and serve as a guide for the formulation chemist. We present in this work an adaption of the generic Computer-Aided Product Design (CAPD) methodology for organic coating formulations. Herein, the paper discusses a model-based framework developed for the design of solvents for such coatings. The applicability of this framework is tested via a case study wherein, solvents for the dispersion of two specific organic pigments are required to be determined, when acrylic polymers are used as dispersing aids.