DR. P. A.

MAHANWAR
PROFESSOR OF POLYMER TECHNOLOGY
HEAD,DEPARTMENT OF PET &SCT,
UICT, MUMBAI

February 19, 2009

NANO TECHNOLOGY
SMALL WONDERS
 Nanotechnology

 The science concerned with materials and systems

whose structures and components exhibit novel
and significantly improved physical, chemical and
biological properties, because of their molecular-
scale size: Nanotechnology.
 At the nanoscale one can find “New Exciting
and Different” properties of the same
material e.g. Icing sugar, dissolves more
quickly in water than does the granulated
form.
 Nanotechnology is the design, fabrication
and characterization of functional objects
having dimensions at the nanometer (One
billionth of a meter) length scale or atleast
one dimension of about one to 100 nanometers.
 NANOTECHNOLOGY IN
MULTIDISCIPLINARY AREAS
 NANOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS
NANOPARTICLES
Catalysts for industrial chemical processing
NANOCAPSULUS
Targeted Drug delivery systems
NANOCOMPOSITE MATERIALS
Improved strength and weight
(e.g: carbon nano tube based material
could be stronger and lighter than steel
NANOMECHANICAL DEVICES
RF signal processing
NANOFLUIDS
Lab on a chip
NANO ELECTRONICS DEVICES
Computation,
Communication,
Nano-bio-electronic interfaces
 Chemical and biological weapons
detectors
 DNA Sequencing
 Point of care clinical diagnoses
 Fundamental studies of molecular biology
 POLYMER COMPOSITES
 A Composites material can be defined as a microscopic
combination of two or more distinct materials having a
recognizable interface between them.

 Particulate composites reinforced with micron-sized

particles of various materials are perhaps the most widely
utilized composites in everyday materials.

 Particles are typically added to enhance the mechanical

and thermal properties along with reduction in cost.

 By scaling the particle size down to the nanometer scale,

it has been shown that novel material properties can be
obtained.
 POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES
Polymer nanocomposites are a mixture of an organic
polymer matrix and nano-scale fillers

Polymer Nanocomposites Market Projection

Total worldwide market for polymer nanocomposites
– 2003: US$90.8 million (24.5 million lbs)
– 2008: US$211.1 million (average annual growth rate
=18.4%)
Thermo- plastic nanocomposites: 77% of the market
Nanocomposite describes two – phase material where one of the phase is
dispersed in the second one on a nanometer (10-9 meter) level.

Dispersion of nano-scale particles (i.e. high aspect ratio and surface areas)
provides excellent reinforcement effect over conventional filler.

Addition of small amount nano fillers (< 5 wt%) to a polymer can improve
the mechanical, thermal, electrical, and barrier properties over pure
polymer / particulate composites significantly .

Growth rate is restricted due to handling of Nano -particles and its cost.
 CONTENTS OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES
• Inorganic filler : Load-carrying agent
Lamellar (Nanolayered Silicates NLS)
Shell-like (Carbon Nanotubes CNT)
Fibrillar (carbon nanofibers CNF,
silicon carbide ,cellulose nanowhiskers)
 Nanocrystals
 Nanowires

• Polymer Matrix: Supports and protects, filler, and transfers

load between fillers.
(PP, LDPE, ABS, LLDPE, PS, SAN, HDPE, PES, PC, PET,
PBT, PEI, PEEK, PPS, PEKK, and thermosets,etc.)

 POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES ARE PREPARED BY

• In-Situ Polymerization
• Solution Method
• Melt intercalation
 TYPICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMER
NANOCOMPOSITES
• Improved Mechanical strength, modulus and dimensional stability
• Decreased permeability to gases, water and hydrocarbons
• Thermal stability and heat distortion temperature
• Flame retardancy and reduced smoke emissions
• Chemical resistance
• Surface appearance
• Light-weight (High strength : weight ratio)
• Electrical conductivity
•Optical clarity in comparison to conventional filled polymers

Nanocomposites are targeted at applications in Automotive,

Aerospace, Electronics and Civil engineering industries.
 VARIOUS SYNTHESIS
ROUTES
1. Adsorptive polymer intercalation from
solution
2. In situ intercalative polymerization
3. Delamination and entrapping restacking
4. Ultrasound irradiation
5. Solution intercalation
6. Emulsion Polymerization intercalation
7. Solgel Technique
In situ intercalative composite
Solution Intercalation
Nanocomposites
Of
Engineering
Polymers
 Mechanical Properties
 Nanofillers are able to improve strength and to maintain
ductility
 Nanofillers do not reduce the light weight property of
polymers because of very low filler content
 Mechanical properties are improved at very low filler
weight fractions
 Property enhancements initially increase followed by a
decrease above 5-10 vol.% range.
 At low loadings, no large-scale change in material
properties.
 Higher loadings induce agglomeration, which degrades
polymer performance.
 Thermal Properties
Tg is the most widely measured value to
quantify thermal properties. Mostly Tg is
found to increase with nanofiller content.
The increase in Tg have been linked to the
immobilization of the matrix within an
Interaction Zone which hinders cooperative
motion by raising the energy barrier for
intermolecular chain movement.
 Optical Properties
The scattering of light by nanoscale particles
is markedly reduced when the particle size is
decreased less than 50 nm.
Nanoparticles can add interesting
functionality in the form of
– UV absorption, and
– alteration of the refractive index of the matrix
polymer.
Dichromic behavior has also been observed
in nanoparticle-filled polymers that have been
highly stretched
 Electrical Properties
 The opportunities extend beyond enhancing
conductive polymers
(superparamagnetism in magnetic materials or
tunable band gaps in quantum dot semiconductor
arrays show promise when incorporated into
polymers)
 The percolation threshold has been shown to be lower
with values as low as 0.03 vol.% reported.
 The dielectric breakdown strength of nanocomposites
can also be enhanced
 Organic-inorganic nanocomposites have found their
way into etch resists used in semiconductor
nanolithography.
Applications of Nanoparticle
filled Engineering Polymers
SUPPLIER & TRADENAME MATRIX RESIN NANO-FILLER TARGET MARKET

Bayer AG (Durethan LPDU) Nylon 6 Organo-clay Barrier films

Creanova (Vestamid) Nylon 12 Nano-tubes Electrically conductive

GE Plastics (Noryl GTX) PPO/Nylon Nano-tubes Automotive painted parts

Honeywell (Aegis) Nylon 6 Organo-clay Multi-purpose

Barrier Nylon Organo-clay Bottles and Film

Hyperion PETG, PBT, PPS, PC, PP Nano-tubes Electrically conductive

Nylon 6 Organo-clay Multi-purpose

Nylon MDX6 Organo-clay PET beer bottles

Polymeric Supply Unsaturated polyester Organo-clay Marine transportation

RTP Nylon 6, PP Organo-clay Multi-purpose, Electrically conductive

Showa Denko (Systemer) Nylon 6 Clay, Mica Flame Retardant

Acetal Clay, Mica Multi-purpose

Ube (Ecobesta) Nylon 6, 12 Organo-clay Multi-purpose

Nylon 6, 66 Organo-clay Auto-fuel systems

Unitika Nylon 6 Organo-clay Multi-purpose

Yantai Haili Ind. & Commerce of China UHMWPE Organo-clay

 SMPs:
• SMPs-fast growing area both academically and
industrially.

• It was introduced in the late 90s demonstrated that

fiberglass and Kevlar reinforcements

• Increased the stiffness and reduced recoverable strain

levels.

• SMPs-class of polymers which can undergo deformation

at high temperatures,magnetic field, electric field.

• Retain the deformed shape when cooled , or removal of

external force.
• Return to its original, unaltered configuration upon heating above
the glass transition temperature.
• Shape-memory materials are stimuli-responsive materials.

• Thermo-mechanical cycle for SMP materials

consists of 4 steps:
1. Deform the polymer above the Tg
2. Fix the deformed polymer shape and
cool below Tg.
3. completion of cooling , remove the
constraint from the polymer.
4. Heat the polymer above Tg to recover
original shape.
 Applications of SMP’s and
SMP,SMP-SMA Nanocomposites
• Morphing wings: Wing Skin

• Aerospace applications: Self- deployable Structures

• Repairable automobile skins

• Biodegradable sutures, Degradable Implant Materials.

e. g. copolyesterurethane

• SMP therapeutic Devices.

• SMP Fibers for comfort waer

 POLYMERIC
NANOCOMPOSITES :
MAGICAL MATERIAL FOR
BIOSENSORS
 Glucose biosensor: A sweet taste of success
A small blood sample is taken by piercing a finger
or arm, and analyzed in a handheld Biosensor
detector.
 Biosensor For Asthma/liver, kidney disorder
Detection
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lower airways,
which results in increased levels of Nitrogen oxide in human exhaled
air. The detection and quantification at 20 to 80 ppb level in
exhalation is an important diagnostic challenge today .
We are working on development of Biosensor for detection of
Asthma using polymeric-nano composite material. Here nano-fibers
of the polymer composite are prepared by electrospining which is
used as sensor.
These sensors will be used to detect volatile organic compounds
from exhaled breath to understand the metabolism, which will assist
the assessment of severity and response to the medication.
The Similar Polymeric-biosensors are also developed to determine
Urea from urine to asses the function of Kidneys and liver.
 MOST CHALLAGING AREAS
FOR BIOSENSORS:
• Detection of Bacterias, Viruses,toxins that
are spread deliberately spread in air, food
or water.
• E.g.:Bacillus (Anthrax),Yersinia
(Plague),Variola ( Smallpox), etc
POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES
FOR ENHANCED HYDROGEN
STORAGE
THE INITIATIVE IN CLEAN FUEL
WAS LAUNCHED BY US
GOVERNMENT IN 2003.

• COMBINATION OF HYDROGEN AND

OXYGEN CAN GENERATE ENERGY
WHICH CAN POWER CAR WITH
ECOFRIENDLY EXHAUST (WATER).
 ISSUES?
• ENERGY SECURITY i.e.independance
form petroleum products.
• URBAN POLLUTION
• REDUCING THE STRESS ON THE
ATMOSPHERE THEREBY REDUCING
THE UNCERTAINITY IN THE CLIMATE.
 WHY HYDROGEN?
• IT IS CLEAN: Zero or Near zero emission
• ABUNDENT
• EFFICIENT : High efficiency and
realiability
• CAN BE PRODUCED FROM NATURAL
SOURCES Biomass,hydro,wind and
solar,Nuclear etc.
 **Ultimately, consumers should be able to use
hydrogen energy for transportation, electric
power generation, and portable electronic

* Conversion of hydrogen into useful forms of

electricity and thermal energy involves the use of
fuel cells, reciprocating engines, turbines, and
process heaters.
* Scientists should work in developing better
information on the fundamental properties of
hydrogen combustion and materials,
electrochemistry, and interfaces for fuel cells
 How do we achieve adequate
stored energy in an efficient,
safe and cost-effective system?
 Compressed H2 Storage:
Packaging volume and safety are key issues

Liquid H2 Storage
• Liquifying H2 requires substantial energy
• Boil-off is an issue for non-pressurized insulated tanks

• Reversible Metal Hydride System:

3NaAlH4 → Na3AlH6 + 2Al + 3H2 → 3NaH + Al + 3/2H2
3.7 wt% 1.8 wt%
Low hydrogen capacity and slow kinetics are issues
 Irreversible Chemical Hydrides: Three
Approaches

• NaBH4 + 2H2O → NaBO2 + 4H2

• 2LiH + 2H2O → 2LiOH + 2H2
• Hydrogen capacity is high at around 10 wt% hydrogen.
• Dehydrogenation kinetics are fast.
• Reactions are irreversible on-board vehicle.

• 2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2

• ( Na from plastic packaging is exposed to water)
• Regeneration costs are a major issue
 Alternatives:
• Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes
• Hydrogen storage capacity
around 4 wt% at ambient temperature
and moderate pressure
• Higher reported storage capacities of
8-10 wt.% have been difficult to
reproduce
• Low cost – high volume fabrication
processes are not yet available for
carbon nanotubes
C. Liu, Y.Y. Fan, M. Liu, H.T. Cong, H.M. Cheng, and M.S. Dresselhaus, “Hydrogen Storage in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes at Room Temperature”,
Science, 286, 1127-1129 (1999).
 The most promising technologies
are the farthest from commercialization
Nanotubes/nanocomposite
Membranes
alanates
cryotanks
chem. storage
compressed gas
liquid H2

A gleam Real Make it First cut Fixing the Making more Money
in the eye effects work engineering problems than one maker

Lab R&D Eng. Dev. Prod. Dev.

Advanced Concepts for Hydrogen Storage:

Crystalline Nanoporous Materials

Polymer Microspheres
Self-Assembled Nanocomposites
Advanced Hydrides
Inorganic – Organic Compounds
BN Nanotubes
Hydrogenated Amorphous Carbon
Mesoporous Materials
Bulk Amorphous Materials (BAMs)
Iron Hydrolysis
Nanosize Powders
Metallic Hydrogen
Hydride Alcoholysis
Materials with High Formula Weight Hydrogen

Formula Formula wt.% Hydrogen

CH4 25
H3BNH3 19.5
LiBH4 18.3
(CH3)4NBH4 18
NH3 17.7
Al(BH4)3 16.8
Mg(BH4)2 14.8
LiH 12.6
CH3OH 12.5
H2O 11.2
LiAlH4 10.6
NaBH4 10.6
AlH3 10.0
MgH2 7.6
NaAlH4 7.4
 What we are doing at UICT,
Mumbai?
• Synthesis of Carbon nano platelates( from
boimass- Catalytic combustion) with higer
porasity and surface area. Blending with
suitable polymer along with catalytic
Hydrogen generator and membranes out
of it.
 SUMMARY OF COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
OF POLYMER NANOCMPOSITES
MATERIALS
Sporting Goods: Tennis Rackets ,Golf Clubs,Skis, Bikes.

Automotive industries : Cars, space vehicles (parts of),

trucks, ships (parts of), railroad cars.

Machinery: low inertia parts, e.g., Loom, Shuttle.

Energy Generation: Windmills, Flywheels.

Electronics: Electrical devices, sensors, electromagnetic

shielding and high-density digital storage.

Packaging: Food Packaging, Fuel Tanks, Films etc.

Bio-medical application: Medical Tubing and Thin Films,

Specialty tubing and stent-delivery balloons ,Retinal detachment
therapy cell separation methods, Tumor hyperthermia ,
Improved MRI diagnostic contrast agents, Magnetic field-guided
carriers for localizing drugs or radioactive therapies
NANOCOATINGS:GREEN COATING TECHNOLOGY
ENERGY ECOLOGY
Zero VOC
High Solid & Zero Toxicity
Powder Coating Water-based and
NANOPARTICLES- Twenty UV Coating

times smaller then

visible light and hence
they 4E
 Scatter the light insufficient
EFFICIENCY
extent hence opens the new ECONOMY
Antiflame
Self Cleaning
perspectives for optical Scratch Proof Weathering
Anticorrosion
materials Nano Coatings
and in Paint and coating
industry.

 Provides higher light

fastness
due to higher specific area.
UPCOMING NANO PARTICLE BASED COATINGS

Anti graffiti paint

Light weight and high performance coatings for marine
and aerospace applications
Bio-terror sensing coatings
IR / UV radiation reflective clear coatings
Self cleaning coatings for wood and other substrates
UV curable high performance nano coatings
Higher mechanical,chemical and physical damage
resistant coating
Scratch proof UV liquid and powder coating.
Water born nanocomposite electro deposition coatings
ELECTROLUMINESCENT
NANO COMPOSITES
• The nanometer sized semiconductor clustors are
representative of a state of matter intermediate between
individual molecule and bulk species.

• The electronic and optical properties of semiconductor

nano crystals differ from those of both molecules and bulk
material, this class of new materials shows a number of
striking effects such as size quantisation, non linear
optical behaviour and usual fluorescence, and they exhibit
novel optical and transport propeties which are potentially
important for technological applications.
• Polymers are expected to provide good
mechanical and optical properties conferring high
kinetic stability on nano metere-size .
• The polymeric materials materials are quite
useful in fabrication of LEDs because of their high
mechanical strength and excellent film
processability.
• In our group PbS, PbI2, Fe2O3, CdS,ZnS and TiO2
have been synthesised in the polymer matrix
using a variety of methods.
 ZnS/CdS nano crystals
• As the ZnS/CdS nanocrystals/polymer
composite possesses excellent film
processability, one can easily obtain good
optical quality thin film of the composite by
the spin-coating method.
• By taking advantage of the specific electronic
and optical properties of ZnS/CdS nanocrystals
and excellent film processability of the
composite, an EL devices are fabricated and
the photoluminescence and
electroluminescence of the composite are
reported.
 ZnS:Cu nano crystals
• ZnS bulk dopped with Cu ion is a typical inorganic
material used for the LED. ZnS:Cu nano composites
possess good film processability and optical quality
thin film of composite for LED.
• Polymer is expected to provide good mechanical
properties, high stability on nanometer sized
semiconductor particle. In addition to electronic and
optical ZnS:Cu nanocrystal has good film
processability.
• The photoluminescence of ZnS:Cu/polymer used to
fabricate LED,the blue light EL was observed at room
temperature and turn on voltage below 4V.
 CdSe nano crystals

• The electroluminescence from solid state

assembly of monodisperse nanocrystallites of
CdSe embedded in a matrix of PVK and
oxadiazole derivative.

• Nanometer size crystallites are similar to large

organic chromophores used in polymer light
emitting devices.

• The CdSe crystallites have strong absorption

cross section, good photoluminescent quantum
yields when dispersed in organic solvent and
polymer matrix.
 TiO2 nanoparticles
• Conjugated polymer light emitting diodes (PLED) were first
studied by using poly(phenylene vinylene) & MEH-PPV as
light emitting material with TiO2 nanoparticles.
Polymer/nanoparticle composites are used because of
their enhanced electrical and optical properties.
• TiO2 nanoparticles blended with electroluminescent
organic polymer have shown everlasting action with
greatly reduced threshold pump powers.
• The TiO2 nanoparticles enhanced the luminescence of
MEH-PPV and luminescence increase as particle size
increased.
 LIGHT EMITTING POLYMERS

• The generation of light other than black body radiation is known as the
phenomenon of ELECTROLUMINESCENCE.

• It was first reported in early 1960's that some plastic polymers such as
anthracene uncharacteristically conducted electricity, and as an effect
light was emitted. The area of Light Emitting Polymers (LEPs), has
been extensively worked upon since.

• Dramatic progress has been made since the early 1990's, mainly by
researchers based at Cavendish Laboratory Cambridge University.
• Light-emitting polymers were first observed in 1990 at the
University of Cambridge, U.K., by the group led by Richard
Friend.

• Friend's group, based in physics, and a group in chemistry, led

by Andrew Holmes, were collaborating to research PPV, short
for poly(1,4-phenylene vinylene).

• This polymer has the ability to conduct electric current, a rare

property for any organic material.
 Polymer Conduction

Polymer Conductivity arising from Conjugation.

• A common attribute possessed by Light Emitting
Polymers (LEPs) is that they contain a conjugated
carbon "backbone". This is a series of alternate single
and double carbon bonds.

• Double bonds are formed when two of the three 2p

(2px and 2py) orbitals on each carbon combine with
the 2s orbital to form three trigonal sp2 "hybrid"
orbitals.
• If an organic molecule contains series of alternate single and
double carbon bonds in a chain, the [pi] orbital will be
delocalised over the entire chain above and below the
framework of the sigma bonds.

• This enables delocalised electrons in conjugated polymers to

act as charge carriers along the chain.
 How Light Emitting Polymers Work

• To generate light with these materials, a thin film of

semiconducting polymer is deposited on a glass or plastic
substrate and sandwiched between two electrodes.
• Electrons and holes are then injected from the electrodes, and the
recombination of these charge carriers results in luminescence.
• The bandgap (the energy difference between the valence and
conduction bands of the polymer) determines the wavelength of
the emitted light.
• By far, the most lucrative near-term application for light emitting
polymers (LEPs) has been touted to be as small flat-panel
displays
POLYMER LEDS
 PLEDs have a number of intrinsic advantages
over liquid crystal devices:

• PLED is an emissive technology: it emits light as a function of

its electrical operation.

• A PLED display consists of polymer material manufactured on

a substrate of glass or plastic, and does not require additional
elements such as backlights, filters and polarizers.

• PLED technology is very energy efficient and lends itself to

the creation of ultra-thin lighting displays that will operate at
lower voltages
IMPORTANT LIGHT EMITTING
POLYMERS

Poly Phenylene Vinylene (PPV)

• Conjugated polymers can be used as electroluminescent

materials, PPV has been one of the most studied series of
light-emitting polymers (LEPs) due to its excellent
luminescent and mechanical properties.

• PPV are generally green and red emitting materials, by

introduction of electron withdrawing or electrone donating
group colour can be changed.
• Other potential device applications of PPVs include
photodiodes, photodetectors, and photovoltaic cells. Large-
area photodiodes based on C60-doped MEH-PPV showed
excellent visible-UV sensitivity.

• Optical recording devices based on PPVs, and metal-insulator-

semiconductor field-effect transistors based on DMPPV are
among the novel device applications of PPVs.
 Polythiophenes

• Polythiophenes are one of the more extensively studied

classes of p-conjugated systems. Both the conducting and
semiconducting forms are very stable and readily
characterized.

• Applications of these materials in light-emitting devices,

field effect transistors, as well as other molecular
electronic devices have been fuelled by the improved
solubility and ease of processing of mono-, di-, and ring-
substituted polythiophenes, while simultaneously allowing
the electronic band gap to be tuned.
 Polyfluorenes and Poly(fluorenylene
ethynylenes)
• The popularity of polyfluorenes (PFOs) as LEPs is due to their
efficient blue photo- and electroluminescence coupled with
their high chemical stability. The related poly(fluorenylene
ethynylenes) (PFEs) have an intense solid-state fluorescence.

• Although polyfluorenes are blue light emitting materials,

colour tuning can be obtained by copolymerising or blend with
dyes. They have good chemical and thermal stability as well
as photo stability.
 OTHER LIGHT EMITTING POLYMERS

• PVK is found to emit bright blue light. Composites of emitting

dyes and PVK emit white light.

• Poly arylate and PMMA are commercially avilable emitter

layer.

• Flexible plastic light emitting diodes,the device has free

standing PET film substrate, a thin Polyaniline(PANI) layer of
as hole injecting.
 LIGHT EMITTING POLYMER BLENDS

• MEH-PPV
• CN-PPV
• BDMOS-PPV
• PF-PPV
 WHITE LIGHT EMITTING POLYMERS

• White light emitting diodes have attracted significant research

interest due to their applications in full color displays
combined with a color filter, in backlights for liquid crystal
displays,and in meeting various other lighting requirements.

• White light emission requires the mixing of two

complementary colors or three primary colors. Various
methods and challenges for generating white light have been
reported. The doping method has been widely used to obtain
white light
• In small molecule devices, a red light emitting material is
co-deposited with blue and/or green light emitting materials.
Kido et al. have reported that solution-processed polymer
devices using composites of blue (B), green (G), and red (R)
emitting dyes and poly(vinylcarbazole) emit white light.

• It is found that there is inefficient energy transfer between

poly(fluorene) (PF) and poly(1,4-phenylenevinylene) (PPV)
derivatives

• Therefore, it is possible to obtain white light emission from

a blend of PF and PPV derivatives by controlling the blend
ratio.
 APPLICATIONS

• Large single pixel displays can be used in lighting

applications, replacing incandescent and fluorescent bulbs.

• Low information content displays where inorganic LEDs are

currently used: video, hi-fi, shaver, watch etc

• Displacement of cathode ray tube (CRT) or LCD (traditional

television and computer display applications): mobile phones,
digital assistants, computers and televisions.

• New display applications for which PLED characteristics

make it uniquely suited.
• Clothes could have LEP's build into them, emergency services
could incorporate these into their uniforms to enable high
visibility; this could even be the next fashion.

• Car dashboards, watches, traffic lights, aircraft runways,

wallpaper, military camouflage, road signs, personal organisers
are just a tiny few areas that will benefit from the arrival of these
devices.

• WE ARE WORKING ON :
EXTEDED WHITE COLOUR PHOSPHORSCENCE NANOCOMPOSITE
COATING AND POLYMERIC NANOCOMPOSITES..
THERMOLUMINUSCENT METAL NANOCOMPOSITES.
 FUTURE
• WHITE LIGHT EMITTING PHOSPHORSCENT COATING.

• WHITE LIGHT EMITTING ELECTRO/PHOTOLUMINSCENT

COATING/ POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES.
 RESEARCH WORK CARRIED OUT AT
UICT
A) POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES
(i) ENIGNEERING POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES:
• PEEK – CNP, PEEK – Nano Al2O3, PEEK – Nano silica.
• PES – CNP, PES – Nano Al2O3, PES – Nano silica.

b c

a
e
d

TEM Micrograph of Carbon Nano-platelet Chain (a) CNP (b) 0.1, (c) 0.5, (d) 1.0,
(e) 1.5, Wt% filled PEEK
(ii) PC-MAGNETIC NANOCOMPOSITE FOR HIGH DENSITY
STORAGE DEVICES
60

40

20
M (emu/g)

-20

-40

-60
-6000 -4000 -2000 0 2000 4000 6000
Field (keO)

2.0 Fe3O4

TEM of iron oxide filled PC at 0.25%

Hysteresis Loop of PC with 2.0% Nano Fe3O4 at room
Temperature
Sample MR (emu/g) Ms (emu/g) Hc (KOe)

By adding nano iron oxide Tensile strength increased upto Iron oxide 11.494 12.381 125
0.25% loading.
PC with 1.0% Iron 6.29 5.36 125
oxide
Flexural modulus increased more than 3 times by adding
2.0% loading of nano iron oxide
PC with 2.0% Iron 9.98 10.035 125
By adding nano iron oxide ( at lower loading ) the iron oxide
oxide loaded PC showed Diamagnetism and as the loading
increased upto 2.0 it regained to Ferric magnetism.

Remanence, saturation increased as the loading increased

MR : Remanence Magnetization
from 1.0% and corecive filed was almost constant as the
loading increased. Ms : Saturation magnetization
Hc : coercivity.
 (iii) LDPE – CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES: FOR PACKAGING
AND AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS

• Exfoliation of MMT masterbatches of

(1:3) in LDPE nanocomposite film for 5%
showed fully exfoliated.
• Tensile strength increased and dart
impact strength decreased as the loading
increased for both the masterbatch
loadings.
• And masterbatch with 25% MMT loading
showed good mechanical properties.
• Gas permeability decreased as the
loading increased upto 5%.
• There was not much change in optical XRD for LDPE MMT nanocomposite
properties in 1:3 filled films Film from 1:3 Loading masterbatch
• LDPE- MMT clay composites with zinc
oxide and tio2 are used for green house
effect to enhance rate of ripening of
fruits

XRD of untreated and Dimetyl

dihydrogenated Tallow Treated MMT
 (B) NANOCOMPOSITE COATINGS
Scratch Proof Clear Coatings
Extent of dispersion of MMT Effect of MMT on optical and mechanical properties
ofSample
Coatings Gloss Gloss 60º % Haze Scartch Dry film
45º hardness Thickness

Virgin 18.1 42.0 10 > 2000 100

CMPEN 1% 21.2 44.6 10.1 > 2400R 100

CMPEN 3% 32.9 75.8 13.3 > 2300R 114

CMPEN 5 % 34.8 77.3 16.4 2300 102

 The treatments of MMT with GA, SA, CTAB enhanced the intercalation and exfoliation of

MMT .
 CTAB treated MMT composite coatings showed higher physical and chemical properties
of
the coating as compared to MMT with SA and GA.
 Optical properties of the composite coatings containing CTAB treated MMT based
nanocomposites coatings were better than other coatings, specifically Low % haze and
Future…
Future ……… ………