Oxford Advanced Surfaces (OAS), a pioneer and market leader in the surface treatment of polymeric, plastic and composite materials by the application of highly reactive carbene chemistry, has entered into a collaboration agreement with 2-DTech Limited, a subsidiary of Versarien plc.

The aim is to develop a new range of products that incorporate nano-materials, such as graphene, into OAS' proprietary Onto chemistry platform to deliver enhanced mechanical performance and improved electrical and thermal conductivity.

OAS's patented Onto chemistry platform delivers a range of versatile and reliable chemical surface treatments that are used to improve the adhesion of paints, coatings and adhesives to composite materials and engineering plastics. Current Onto products are used in demanding applications ranging from transportation and aerospace to wind energy.

By combining 2-DTech's graphene products into OAS's unique Onto chemistry, the collaboration is intended to produce a range of new products that will potentially allow both companies to address a wide range of applications and address new materials challenges encountered in both our current and potentially new markets.

Dr Jon-Paul Griffiths, Chief Technology Officer, Oxford Advanced Surfaces said: "Challenging applications for new and existing materials require innovative surface treatments; through our collaboration with 2D-Tech, we have the opportunity to develop new products by incorporating nano-materials, such as graphene, to meet these challenges."

Steve Hodge, Versarien Chief Technology Officer, commented: "We are delighted and very excited to work collaboratively with OAS; our aqueous Graphinks and OAS' aqueous based adhesion promoters (Onto) are a natural fit and can bring about unique opportunities and markets that we haven't yet explored."