Are we ready for spray-on carbon nanotubes?

Abstract

Earlier this year, British sculptor, Anish Kapoor was given exclusive rights to use a new spray-on carbon nanotube-based paint. The material, produced by UK-based Surrey NanoSystems and marketed as Vantablack S-VIS, can be applied to a range of surfaces, and absorbs well over 99% of the light that falls onto it. It is claimed to be the world's blackest paint, and there is growing interest in its use in works of art and high-end consumer products. It's easy to see the appeal of Vantablack S-VIS. Apart from technical applications where stray reflections need to be suppressed, this is a material that potentially enables manufacturers and artists to give their products a unique aesthetic edge. Yet, having worked on carbon nanotube safety for some years, I was intrigued to see the material in a spray-paint designed to coat objects that people may possibly come into contact with. It was, after all, only a few years ago that journalists were asking if carbon nanotubes were the next asbestos. And while this is unlikely, concerns over the possible health impacts of the material persist.