Composites of augmented strength: study of intercalates of uniquely structured clays

Objective

Seven research groups (six Universities and one Industry) have been assembled with complementary expertise suitable to perform comprehensive studies on clay-organics hybrids and composites. Two organic synthetic groups (UNITS and UNIEDI), two inorganic-spectroscopic groups (IOANNI and UNIVIE), one solid-state spectroscopy physics group (FUNDP), one quantum chemical modelist (UNIBO) and one polymer science group (DSM) will converge to a common objective: the design, preparation, characterization and determination of the potential for practical applications of composites of custom-made organic-based systems (derivatives of carbon nanotubes and fullerene, along with variously derivatives macrocyclic systems) and alumino silicate minerals (among others, smectite clays). The highly charged sites of clays will be used to develop new organics-clays hybrid materials with novel optical and electronic properties. The new nanostructures will be introduced in polymers to produce multifunctional nanocomposites characterized both by an augmented strength and by the newly developed property of the organic system intercalated or anchored to the clay. An interesting example of the final products the network seeks to produce are nanocomposites-containing clays that can be separated into tiny particles of size comparable to the wavelength of visible light. When dispersed in resins, small amounts of these particles can potentially improve strength, barrier properties, and heat resistance while maintaining clarity.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › materials engineering › composites
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › polymer sciences
• engineering and technology › materials engineering › nanocomposites
• natural sciences › physical sciences › optics › spectroscopy

Programme(s)

• FP5-HUMAN POTENTIAL - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Improving the human research potential and the socio-economic knowledge base" (1998-2002)

Topic(s)

Data not available

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

NET - Research network contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN

Address

4,nijenborgh 4
9747 AG Groningen
Netherlands

Participants (5)

DSM RESEARCH BV

Netherlands

Address

Koestraat 1
6160 MD Geleen

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TRIESTE.

Italy

Address

Piazzale Europa 1
Trieste

Links

UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA

Italy

Address

Via Francesco Selmi 2
40126 Bologna

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

United Kingdom

Address

West Mains Road, Kings Buildings
EH 3JJ Edinburgh

UNIVERSITY OF ERLANGEN-NUREMBERG

Germany

Address

Egerlandstrasse 3
91058 Erlangen