Polymer nanotechnology

• US 7,341,757 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2005
• Issued: 03/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio Incorporated (Nouryon BV)
• Original Assignee: NanoProducts Corporation (Nouryon BV)
• Inventors: Yadav, Tapesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Vivian
• Application Number:
  US11/054,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20050147747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 427/2.14
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 2009/125 Micropellets, microgranules, microparticles
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 9/08 by agglomerating smaller particles
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 9/12 characterised by structure or composition
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 25/00 Nanomagnetism, e.g. magnetoimpedance, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance or tunneling magnetoresistance
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2002/02 Amorphous compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2002/60 Compounds characterised by their crystallite size
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/54 Particles characterised by their aspect ratio, i.e. the ratio of sizes in the longest to the shortest dimension
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/62 Submicrometer sized, i.e. from 0.1-1 micrometer
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2006/12 Surface area
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 2201/011 Nanostructured additives
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 2201/013 Additives applied to the surface of polymers or polymer particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/252 Glass or ceramic [i.e., fired or glazed clay, cement, etc.] [porcelain, quartz, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/256 Heavy metal or aluminum or compound thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/257 Iron oxide or aluminum oxide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/258 Alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or compound thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/259 Silicic material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/29 Coated or structually defined flake, particle, cell, strand, strand portion, rod, filament, macroscopic fiber or mass thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2982 Particulate matter [e.g., sphere, flake, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2991 : Coated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2993 : Silicic or refractory material containing [e.g., tungsten oxide, glass, cement, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2998 : including synthetic resin or polymer

Abstract

Size-confined nanocomposite powders and methods for their manufacture are provided by coating fine powders with a nanoscale powder of a different composition. The nanocomposite plastics offer performance characteristics approaching those of metals and alloys. The nanocomposite powders are alternatively used for dispersion strengthening of metals, alloys, and ceramics. Materials based nanotechnology for energy devices and programmable drug delivery are included.

Claims

1. A method of forming a product comprising:

selecting a fine powder of a polymer of first composition;

selecting nanoparticles of a second composition different than the first composition;

chemically bonding the nanoparticles to the surface of the polymer powders to form a nanocomposite plastic powder;

forming a product from the nanocomposite plastic powder, wherein the product has superior mechanical property than the corresponding mechanical property of an equivalent product prepared from the fine powder of polymer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the forming step is performed in an injection molding equipment.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the product comprises a net shaped part.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first composition is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, polystyrene, and polyurethane.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the second composition is selected from the group consisting of oxide, carbide, nitride, boride, polymer, metal, and alloy.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the fine powder of polymer of first composition is a submicron powder.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the fine powder of polymer of first composition is a nanoscale powder.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the product formed from the nanocomposite plastic powder has a tensile strength greater than that of a product produced from the fine powder of a polymer of first composition.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the nanocomposite plastic powder comprises a drug.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the nanocomposite plastic powder comprises a means to deliver drug.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the nanocomposite plastic powder comprises a means for targeted drug delivery.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the nanocomposite plastic powder comprises an electrically conducting surface.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the nanocomposite plastic powder comprises a magnetic composition.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the nanocomposite plastic powder comprises an electrically insulating surface.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the nanocomposite plastic powder provides a means for non-destructive testing of the product.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the nanocomposite plastic powder provides a means for drug administration.