University of Bayreuth researchers led by Professor Stephan Förster have developed a method to produce fully miscible nanocomposites.
SEM images of iron-containing nanoparticles within a polymer matrix
These materials have extraordinary potential for innovation in technologies. The scientists have published their work in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
Polymer nanocomposites have a tendency to aggregate inside the matrix by forming deposits in several matrix locations. However, for industrial uses, uniformly distributed nanoparticles in a polymer matrix are preferred as they have much better transparency, electrical and thermal conductivity, and heat and fire resistance.
Professor Stephan Förster along with scientists from the University of Hamburg developed a new process that starts with polymer chains. An adhesion molecule helps the chain to get attached to a nanoparticle, with one end resting vertically on the surface and the other end projecting outwards. Thus, each nanoparticle gets fully coated on its surface with polymer chains appearing like a spherical brush. These outward-pointing ends of the chains prevent multiple nanoparticles getting in touch with each other, thus preventing formation of aggregates.
The above method can help produce functional materials having individual nanoparticles distributed evenly across the polymer matrix. The chemical characteristics, composition and behavior of nanocomposites, which are dependent on the proximity between nanoparticles, can be controlled using this method. This novel method enables targeted production of polymer nanocomposites with desired characteristics and behaviors.
Nanocomposites having semiconductor nanoparticles may find application in high performance solar cell design. Similarly, embedding iron-containing nanoparticles in the polymer matrix at very high densities can lead to magnetic information storage of extremely large capacities in highly dense spaces.
Professor Stephan Förster says that in the future they plan to create a laboratory-scale, wide spectrum of nanocomposites and evaluate their possible applications.