Descrizione del progetto
Nuova tecnica per rendere più forti i compositi di nanotubi di carbonio
I compositi in fibra di carbonio fatti di una matrice polimerica rinforzata con fibre di carbonio hanno rivoluzionato le industrie che richiedono materiali forti ma leggeri. La loro applicazione è stata tuttavia ostacolata dalle loro scarse proprietà meccaniche, che rimangono molto indietro rispetto alle previsioni teoriche. Per migliorare questo aspetto, sono stati impiegati diversi approcci, ma nessuno di essi ha dato risultati soddisfacenti. Il progetto PINT, finanziato dall’UE, cerca di collegare direttamente la matrice polimerica ai macrocicli (strutture molecolari che contengono uno o più anelli) per formare polimeri interconnessi con nanotubi di carbonio. In queste strutture, i polimeri e i nanotubi di carbonio a parete singola sono collegati attraverso legami meccanici e formano una singola entità molecolare: un vero salto concettuale rispetto agli approcci precedenti.
Obiettivo
The reinforcement of polymers with carbon nanotube fillers has been one of the most active areas of research in CNT science. Several materials where the mechanical and/or electrical properties of polymers have been significantly improved using nanotube fillers have been demonstrated. However, the improvement in mechanical properties of the CNT-polymer composites remains far behind the idealized theoretical predictions. These disappointing experimental results are due to a combination of imperfect individualization of the CNTs and poor load transfer from the polymer to the CNTs. To address these problems, several approaches have been investigated, including covalent and supramolecular modification of the CNTs, and different fabrication methods for the CNT-polymer composites, but none has been completely successful.
We will explore the direct connection of the polymer matrix to the macrocycles to form Polymers Interlocked with carbon NanoTubes (PINTs). In PINTs, the polymer and SWNTs are linked through mechanical bonds, and therefore form a single molecular entity, a true conceptual leap from previous approximations. The PINT strategy addresses all the critical issues for SWNT-polymer composites at the same time: effective control of SWNT-polymer interface through non-covalent but very strong mechanical bonds, SWNT-polymer alignment, and individualization of the SWNTs.
The IP and business parts of this proposal will be carried out in collaboration with Nanocore (http://www.nanocore.com/) a company based in Denmark specialized in the reinforcement of polymers with carbon nanomaterials. In direct cooperation with Nanocore, we will explore the first steps towards commercialization of the technologies developed.
Campo scientifico
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept GrantIstituzione ospitante
28049 Madrid
Spagna