Final Report Summary - MANANO (MANUFACTURING AND APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS)
Nanotechnologies and nanostructured materials is expected to be the most promising area of technological development and among the most likely to deliver substantial economic and societal benefits to the EU in the 21st century. It is a time of rapid advance in the development of these technologies, which can organize materials at the nanoscale and tailor their properties. This offers exciting possibilities in virtually all sectors of EU activity. However, the exploitation of nanomaterials by European industry has been disappointing and one of the critical reasons for this is a general shortage of scientists/engineers with the knowledge to undertake relevant research and transfer the research findings into industrial production. The aim of the proposal is to encourage highly capable researchers to get jobs in EU industry, where they can create breakthrough opportunities. This will be achieved by giving them stimulating and industrially relevant research projects that will be undertaken in collaboration with universities and industry, and include industrial secondments together with comprehensive technical and complementary skills training. A characteristic of nanomaterials is that there there are many advanced methods for synthesis, processing, characterization and computational modelling. The research and training programme was, therefore, made broad enough to expose the researchers to the principal activities in nanomaterials and yet be sufficiently coherent to enable teamwork throughout the network and stimulate synergy. The research has three interlinking themes from which the individual projects are developed. These are green energy-generating materials, organization and characterization of nanostructure, and lightweight and longer-life materials.
Manano consists of nine projects, all of which are aimed at developing new engineering materials through the manipulation of nanostructure by controlling composition and processing. Under the theme of green energy-generating materials, TUE is focusing on graphene-based conductive and transparent coatings and composites to be used in devices such as flexible solar cells, sensors and RFID tags. By carefully deconstructing graphite with the wet chemical methods of intercalation, exfoliation and covalent functionalization graphene dispersions and inks were formulated which allowed for controlled deposition of conductive thin films onto a variety of substrates. The project shows graphene’s exceptional properties can be exploited to manufacture highly conductive electrodes that are printable and flexible Besides inkjet printing inks, highly-conductive, high-content graphene-based pastes for screen printing is also being developed, which are important in the field of printed electronics.
LSBU is researching glass interlayers and coatings for potential applications such as thin-film solar cells for building elements, self-cleaning surfaces for domestic appliances and outdoor structures. Results showed plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition could not produce satisfactory silicon thin films on bare ceramic tiles due to outgassing. This is being overcome by developing a new plasma–spray procedure and novel glasses. The uniquely low viscosities of conventional glass prevent the deposition of suitable interlayers. Characterization including the study of splat morphologies, has enabled this project, for the first time, to provide an understanding of the development of glass-based interlayers and coatings by the control of the nanostructure of the glasses, pre-treatment parameters and the plasma deposition conditions. Thick, dense and well-bonded glass interlayers have been successfully produced on ceramic tiles and stainless steel.
Lurederra is using flame-spray pyrolysis (FSP) to study nano-materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) nanoparticles have been synthesized by FSP and sol-gel processing and characterized accordingly regarding their size, morphology, crystallinity and thermal stability. Electrodes from synthesized powders have been made, coin cells have been assembled and the electrochemical properties investigated. Results are promising for the use of LTO as anode material for lithium ion batteries.
Under the theme of organization and characterization of nanostructure, TUE is researching the next generation of electron microscopy (EM) and tomography based analysis methods for complex organic/inorganic materials. Sampling limitations in EM for first addressed for analyzing hierarchical materials that extend over multiple length scales. This was solved by automating data acquisition and analysis to generate large-area maps with nanometer resolution of the sample. Combining experiments and scattering simulations contrast optimization was performed, the best imaging conditions in representative areas hierarchical carbon nanotube compacts and composites were investigated by electron tomography to derive a bottom up model of electrical conduction in such materials. The quantitative analysis of 2D/3D microscopy deepened our understanding of how the organization of matter can be tuned and was applied to double the electrical conductivity of CNT compacts.
LSBU is investigating phosphate glass-polymer hybrids, an emerging class of nanomaterial with unique characteristics derived from molecular interactions induced by both components being fluid during processing. This condition substantially lowers the commercially disadvangeous high viscosity inherent in solid fillers and also enables the control of hybrid morphologies with the possibility of greatly enhanced properties. Controlling the tin fluoride content of the phosphate glass reduced the glass transition temperature down to 105oC. Melting point depression measurements provided a negative thermodynamic interaction parameter, which indicated a degree of miscibility between phosphate glass and polyamide 11. Characterization showed ultrafine glass dispersions and new composites with enhanced thermal stability and mechanical properties.
UC is investigating silica aerogels, which have extremely high surface areas and very low densities with potential applications such as thermal and acoustic insulators, radiation detectors and cometary dust trappers. However, their high fragility makes handling extremely difficult. This project is aimed at overcoming these problems by one pot, streamlined synthesis of tri-methacrylate crosslinked silica aerogels containing different underlying silica structures. This has led to the development of silica nanostructures and aerogels with more than one order of magnitude improvement in the compression strength.
Under the theme of lightweight and longer-life materials. KU is investigating improving the performance of thermosets using nanoelastomers and developing a manufacturing process to use the new materials as a matrix for fibre reinforced composites. A theoretical study in conjunction with experimental work is necessary to understand the interaction between thermoset resins, curing agents and nano-particles. The results show that nano-size dispersions of rubber significantly improved the Mode I delamination fracture toughness (GIC) of the CFRP by 250% and its Mode II delamination fracture toughness (GIIC) by 80% with the addition of 20 phr of nano-carboxylic acrylonitrile butadiene rubber. Electron microscopy revealed that toughening was mainly achieved by the formation of de-bonding of nanorubber, crack path deflection and fibre bridging.
AST is developing a procedure to understand and optimize the mechanical properties of methylsilsesquioxane (MSQ) aerogel by means of computer simulation. Aerogels are low-density materials
that exhibit a scaling relationship between their elastic modulus, E, and relative density, according to the equation E ≈ρm, where m is the scaling exponent. Three different simulation approaches were used to study the aerogel morphology over different scale lengths. The focus has been to develop a methodology to correlate the results of these different scales, which are investigated with quantum mechanics, molecular dynamics (MD), and finite element methods.
ARK is researching novel nanostructured polymer-glass hybrid materials with the objective improving coating properties such as thermal and mechanical properties as well as the chemical resistance and ageing characteristics. Morphological, rhgeological and electron microscopy studies have shown that processing parameters have a crucial influence on structure and properties. For example at extrusion temperatures below 230oC the glass behaves like a standard inorganic filler, increasing the temperature causes the the viscosity to decrease resulting in the break up of droplets improving the the dispersion and above 270oC, a major fall in viscosity produces particle coalescence. Stable coatings with enhanced thermal stability, hardness and water resistance have been achieved.
The Manano project has provided new results and knowledge with major potential for exploitation in nanotchnology and nanostructured materials. The researchers employed on the project are all ESRs, registered for PhD study and have received the technical, secondments and complementary skills training necessary to enhance their career prospects in nanotechnology. A summary with diagrams and photographs is given in Attachment 1 entitled ‘Final Report Summary with Figures’.
Contact: Professor David Gawne, School of Engineering, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK; david.gawne@lsbu.ac.uk; project website: www.manano.org
Manano consists of nine projects, all of which are aimed at developing new engineering materials through the manipulation of nanostructure by controlling composition and processing. Under the theme of green energy-generating materials, TUE is focusing on graphene-based conductive and transparent coatings and composites to be used in devices such as flexible solar cells, sensors and RFID tags. By carefully deconstructing graphite with the wet chemical methods of intercalation, exfoliation and covalent functionalization graphene dispersions and inks were formulated which allowed for controlled deposition of conductive thin films onto a variety of substrates. The project shows graphene’s exceptional properties can be exploited to manufacture highly conductive electrodes that are printable and flexible Besides inkjet printing inks, highly-conductive, high-content graphene-based pastes for screen printing is also being developed, which are important in the field of printed electronics.
LSBU is researching glass interlayers and coatings for potential applications such as thin-film solar cells for building elements, self-cleaning surfaces for domestic appliances and outdoor structures. Results showed plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition could not produce satisfactory silicon thin films on bare ceramic tiles due to outgassing. This is being overcome by developing a new plasma–spray procedure and novel glasses. The uniquely low viscosities of conventional glass prevent the deposition of suitable interlayers. Characterization including the study of splat morphologies, has enabled this project, for the first time, to provide an understanding of the development of glass-based interlayers and coatings by the control of the nanostructure of the glasses, pre-treatment parameters and the plasma deposition conditions. Thick, dense and well-bonded glass interlayers have been successfully produced on ceramic tiles and stainless steel.
Lurederra is using flame-spray pyrolysis (FSP) to study nano-materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) nanoparticles have been synthesized by FSP and sol-gel processing and characterized accordingly regarding their size, morphology, crystallinity and thermal stability. Electrodes from synthesized powders have been made, coin cells have been assembled and the electrochemical properties investigated. Results are promising for the use of LTO as anode material for lithium ion batteries.
Under the theme of organization and characterization of nanostructure, TUE is researching the next generation of electron microscopy (EM) and tomography based analysis methods for complex organic/inorganic materials. Sampling limitations in EM for first addressed for analyzing hierarchical materials that extend over multiple length scales. This was solved by automating data acquisition and analysis to generate large-area maps with nanometer resolution of the sample. Combining experiments and scattering simulations contrast optimization was performed, the best imaging conditions in representative areas hierarchical carbon nanotube compacts and composites were investigated by electron tomography to derive a bottom up model of electrical conduction in such materials. The quantitative analysis of 2D/3D microscopy deepened our understanding of how the organization of matter can be tuned and was applied to double the electrical conductivity of CNT compacts.
LSBU is investigating phosphate glass-polymer hybrids, an emerging class of nanomaterial with unique characteristics derived from molecular interactions induced by both components being fluid during processing. This condition substantially lowers the commercially disadvangeous high viscosity inherent in solid fillers and also enables the control of hybrid morphologies with the possibility of greatly enhanced properties. Controlling the tin fluoride content of the phosphate glass reduced the glass transition temperature down to 105oC. Melting point depression measurements provided a negative thermodynamic interaction parameter, which indicated a degree of miscibility between phosphate glass and polyamide 11. Characterization showed ultrafine glass dispersions and new composites with enhanced thermal stability and mechanical properties.
UC is investigating silica aerogels, which have extremely high surface areas and very low densities with potential applications such as thermal and acoustic insulators, radiation detectors and cometary dust trappers. However, their high fragility makes handling extremely difficult. This project is aimed at overcoming these problems by one pot, streamlined synthesis of tri-methacrylate crosslinked silica aerogels containing different underlying silica structures. This has led to the development of silica nanostructures and aerogels with more than one order of magnitude improvement in the compression strength.
Under the theme of lightweight and longer-life materials. KU is investigating improving the performance of thermosets using nanoelastomers and developing a manufacturing process to use the new materials as a matrix for fibre reinforced composites. A theoretical study in conjunction with experimental work is necessary to understand the interaction between thermoset resins, curing agents and nano-particles. The results show that nano-size dispersions of rubber significantly improved the Mode I delamination fracture toughness (GIC) of the CFRP by 250% and its Mode II delamination fracture toughness (GIIC) by 80% with the addition of 20 phr of nano-carboxylic acrylonitrile butadiene rubber. Electron microscopy revealed that toughening was mainly achieved by the formation of de-bonding of nanorubber, crack path deflection and fibre bridging.
AST is developing a procedure to understand and optimize the mechanical properties of methylsilsesquioxane (MSQ) aerogel by means of computer simulation. Aerogels are low-density materials
that exhibit a scaling relationship between their elastic modulus, E, and relative density, according to the equation E ≈ρm, where m is the scaling exponent. Three different simulation approaches were used to study the aerogel morphology over different scale lengths. The focus has been to develop a methodology to correlate the results of these different scales, which are investigated with quantum mechanics, molecular dynamics (MD), and finite element methods.
ARK is researching novel nanostructured polymer-glass hybrid materials with the objective improving coating properties such as thermal and mechanical properties as well as the chemical resistance and ageing characteristics. Morphological, rhgeological and electron microscopy studies have shown that processing parameters have a crucial influence on structure and properties. For example at extrusion temperatures below 230oC the glass behaves like a standard inorganic filler, increasing the temperature causes the the viscosity to decrease resulting in the break up of droplets improving the the dispersion and above 270oC, a major fall in viscosity produces particle coalescence. Stable coatings with enhanced thermal stability, hardness and water resistance have been achieved.
The Manano project has provided new results and knowledge with major potential for exploitation in nanotchnology and nanostructured materials. The researchers employed on the project are all ESRs, registered for PhD study and have received the technical, secondments and complementary skills training necessary to enhance their career prospects in nanotechnology. A summary with diagrams and photographs is given in Attachment 1 entitled ‘Final Report Summary with Figures’.
Contact: Professor David Gawne, School of Engineering, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK; david.gawne@lsbu.ac.uk; project website: www.manano.org