Just recently a review on “Functional inorganic nanofillers for transparent polymers” has been published (H. Althues, J. Henle, S. Kaskel, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2007, 36, 1454-1465). This tutorial review is a very interesting summarize of the functions associated with the integration of inorganic nanofillers in polymers with a focus on optical properties, where not only the latest scientific achievements, but also the main key challenges, are explained.
S. Kaskel et al explain the three key factors to consider in order to get transparent polymers with nanofillers:
· Particle requirements: small size (particle diameter below 40 nm) and/or index-matching between the matrix and the particles.
· Surface engineering: in order to minimize interface energies between particles and polymer matrix, several surface functionalization and stabilizing techniques have been developed.
· Manufacturing approaches: melt compounding; film casting; in situ polymerization; and in situ particle generation
Also the main functions and properties of these polymers are explained in this review: luminescence; UV absorption; conductivity and isolation; IR active fillers; high and low refractive index in polymer nanocomposites; and magnetic properties.
It is an interesting review from an industrial point of view which I recommend to all of you involved on the development of new transparency nanocomposite.
It is very difficult to go from the science to the industry because of the big gap there is in between. For instance when you study a nanofiller, the material will not change among the project development, so only at the end there is a definition of the possible applications; but in industry you look for a certain property, and the development will go on the opposite direction, until there may be finally a possible nanoparticle that could be useful for that certain property. This is, on my opinion, one of the key reasons for this gap in nanotechnology and nanoscience.
In order to take advantage to the scientific “Know How" it is important to understand not only the conclusion but also their approach. This review shows a very broad picture of the state of the art that can help to visualize the important aspects that should be considered in order to successfully convert the know how to an industrial product.
S. Kaskel et al explain the three key factors to consider in order to get transparent polymers with nanofillers:
· Particle requirements: small size (particle diameter below 40 nm) and/or index-matching between the matrix and the particles.
· Surface engineering: in order to minimize interface energies between particles and polymer matrix, several surface functionalization and stabilizing techniques have been developed.
· Manufacturing approaches: melt compounding; film casting; in situ polymerization; and in situ particle generation
Also the main functions and properties of these polymers are explained in this review: luminescence; UV absorption; conductivity and isolation; IR active fillers; high and low refractive index in polymer nanocomposites; and magnetic properties.
It is an interesting review from an industrial point of view which I recommend to all of you involved on the development of new transparency nanocomposite.
It is very difficult to go from the science to the industry because of the big gap there is in between. For instance when you study a nanofiller, the material will not change among the project development, so only at the end there is a definition of the possible applications; but in industry you look for a certain property, and the development will go on the opposite direction, until there may be finally a possible nanoparticle that could be useful for that certain property. This is, on my opinion, one of the key reasons for this gap in nanotechnology and nanoscience.
In order to take advantage to the scientific “Know How" it is important to understand not only the conclusion but also their approach. This review shows a very broad picture of the state of the art that can help to visualize the important aspects that should be considered in order to successfully convert the know how to an industrial product.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario