Nanocomposites

• US 8,501,267 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2011
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio Incorporated (Nouryon BV)
• Original Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio Incorporated (Nouryon BV)
• Inventors: Yadav, Tapesh, Kostelecky, Clayton, Franke, Evan, Miremadi, Bijan, Au, Ming, Vigliotti, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Yoon, Tae H
• Application Number:
  US13/036,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20110152427A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 523/400, 523/200, 524/404, 524/419, 524/424, 524/428, 524/439, 428/411.1, 427/58
• US Class Current: 427/58
• 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: B82Y 5/00 Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine, e.g. protein engineering or drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2006/12 Surface area
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2006/40 Electric properties
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 2201/011 Nanostructured additives
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 3/01 characterized by their specific function
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 3/08 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 1/0063 in a non-magnetic matrix, e.g. granular solids granular films H01F10/007
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 Composite [nonstructural laminate]

Abstract

Methods for preparing nanocomposites with electrical properties modified by powder size below 100 nanometers. Both low-loaded and highly-loaded nanocomposites are included. Nanoscale coated, un-coated, whisker type fillers are taught. Electrical nanocomposite layers may be prepared on substrates.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a nanocomposite comprising:

mixing nanofillers with a matrix, wherein the nanofillers have a domain size equal to or less than the mean free path of phonons, and wherein the nanofillers comprise a surface coating of a polymer that is compatible with the matrix;

processing the mixture to produce a solid nanocomposite having a nanoparticle loading of 20% to 80% by volume in a solid polymer matrix; and

wherein the nanocomposite has an electrical conductivity that differs by more than 20% as compared with the electrical conductivity exhibited by a composite material of the same composition with filler particles having a domain size of 10 microns.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanofillers have a domain size equal to or less than 100 nanometers.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing includes adding a secondary species material selected from the group consisting of:

dispersants, binders, modifiers, detergents, and additives to enhance one or more properties of the nanocomposite.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanofillers are heterogeneously dispersed in the solid polymer matrix.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising depositing the nanocomposite on a substrate.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the nanocomposite as a layer over another substance.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanofillers comprise oxide.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanofillers comprise nitride.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanofillers comprise whiskers.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanofillers comprise one or more elements selected from the group consisting of:

aluminum, barium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cerium, cesium, cobalt, copper, europium, gallium, gold, indium, iron, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, neodymium, nickel, niobium, palladium, platinum, potassium, praseodymium, scandium, silver, sodium, strontium, tantalum, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, ytterbium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanofillers comprise one or more elements selected from the group consisting of:

antimony, boron, bromine, carbon, chlorine, fluorine, germanium, hydrogen, iodine, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, selenium, silicon, sulfur, and tellurium.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanocomposite has an electrical conductivity and a thermal conductivity that differs by more than 20% as compared with the electrical conductivity exhibited by a composite material of the same composition with filler particles having a domain size of 10 microns.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises monomer, and wherein processing the mixture to produce a solid nanocomposite comprises polymerizing a mixture comprising nanofiller and monomer.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises a polymer powder, and the mixture comprises the polymer powder and the polymer-coated nanofillers, and wherein processing the mixture to produce a solid nanocomposite comprises compacting the mixture.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises a polymer material, and the mixture comprises the polymer-coated nanofillers and the polymer material dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, and wherein processing the mixture to produce a solid nanocomposite comprises removing the solvent from the mixture.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises a liquid polymer, and the mixture comprises the polymer-coated nanofillers and the liquid polymer, wherein processing the mixture to produce a solid nanocomposite comprises solidifying the mixture.