IIT-Hyderabad develops new waterproofing material using fly ash

28 Aug 2019

IIT-Hyderabad develops new waterproofing material using fly ash

IIT-Hyderabad develops new waterproofing material using fly ashResearchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad have developed a new cheap, waterproofing material. They have made it this by coating fly ash with stearic acid.

Fly ash is a waste by-product of coal-based thermal power stations. Stearic acid is a type of acid found commonly in nature. It is used in making candles, fireworks etc.

What is the process of making this new waterproofing material?

The stearic acid has a hydrophilic (water-loving) part called the head and hydrophobic (water-repelling) portion called the tail.
 	When it is applied to fly ash, the hydrophilic head sticks to the fly ash particles, while the water-repelling tail remains free.
 	Hence, many free hydrophobic tails of stearic acid make the fly ash surface water repellent.

Features of this new fly ash waterproofing material

You can easily clean the surface as it repels water.
 	An adhesive (glue) can be used to apply the new material on any surface and make it waterproof.
 	Also, depending on the size of the particle of the fly ash, the new waterproof material can behave like rose petals or lotus leaves. These are two water-repelling materials found in nature.

Now, scientists need to test the new fly ash waterproofing material under different conditions.

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Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad have developed a new cheap, waterproofing material. They have made it this by coating fly ash […]

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