Aluminum phosphate coatings

Abstract

Aluminophosphate compounds and compositions as can be used for substrate or composite films and coating to provide or enhance, without limitation, planarization, anti-biofouling and/or anti-microbial properties.

1 . A method of using an aluminophosphate compound to decrease surface roughness, said method comprising:
 providing a precursor to an aluminophosphate compound, said precursor comprising aluminum ions and phosphate esters in a fluid medium;   applying said precursor medium to a substrate, said substrate having a first surface roughness value; and   treating said applied medium for a time and at a temperature sufficient to provide a substantially amorphous aluminophosphate compound on said substrate, wherein the surface of said substrate is planarized and has a second roughness value decreased compared to said first surface roughness value.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said surface roughness value is decreased at least by about 3-fold. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said medium is applied by a process selected from dip-coating, spraying, flow-coating and spin-coating. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said treated substrate has a friction coefficient less than about 0.2. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said substrate is selected from a bearing and a gear. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a biaxially-textured component is deposited on said aluminophosphate compound. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said component is selected from magnesium oxide, yttria, and a yttria stabilized zirconia. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein an electromagnetic component is deposited on said textured component. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said electromagnetic component is a superconducting YBCO layer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said treated substrate is exposed to an environment inducing condition selected from oxidation and corrosion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said substrate is selected from a steel, a nickel-based alloy, a superalloy, titanium, a titanium-based alloy, niobium, a niobium-based alloy, molybdenum and a molybdenum-based alloy. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said substrate is selected from silicon, aluminum oxide, enamel, mullite, a glass, fused silica, a silica-based refractory and a ceramic.