Method for modifying surface properties with nanostructured chemicals
AssigneeHybrid Plastics, Inc.
InventorsJoseph D. Lichtenhan, Xuan Fu, Marion R. Blue, Paul Wheeler, Rahul Misra, Sarah Morgan
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Abstract
A method of using metallized and nonmetallized nanostructured chemicals as surface and volume modification agents within polymers and on the surfaces of nano and macroscopic particulates and fillers. Because of their 0.5 nm-3.0 nm size, nanostructured chemicals can be utilized to greatly increase surface area, improve compatibility, and promote lubricity between surfaces at a length scale not previously attainable.
Claims9
A method for modifying the surface or interfacial properties of a material comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a polymer or particulate material selected from the group consisting of (i) a polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylics, carbonates, epoxies, esters, silicones, polyolefins, polyethers, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyimides, phenolics, cyanate esters, polyureas, resoles, polyanilines, fluoropolymers, silicones, styrenics, amides, nitriles, olefins, aromatic oxides, aromatic sulfides, esters, and ionomers or rubbery polymers derived from hydrocarbons and silicones, and (ii) a particulate selected from the group consisting of metals, metal alloys, oxides, ceramics, ceramic alloys, microtubes, nanotubes, inorganic compounds, organic compounds, man-made materials, and naturally occurring materials;
- and
- (b) reactively incorporating a nanostructured chemical selected from the group consisting of POSS, POS, and POMS with the material;
- wherein the surface roughness of the mixture is at least twenty-five percent greater or smaller than the surface roughness of the material selected from (a).
5-7. (canceled)
A method for dispersing a particulate into a polymer, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylics, carbonates, epoxies, esters, silicones, polyolefins, polyethers, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyimides, phenolics, cyanate esters, polyureas, resoles, polyanilines, fluoropolymers, silicones, styrenics, amides, nitriles, olefins, aromatic oxides, aromatic sulfides, esters, and ionomers or rubbery polymers derived from hydrocarbons and silicones;
- (b) providing a particulate material selected from the group consisting of metals, metal alloys, oxides, ceramics, ceramic alloys, microtubes, nanotubes, inorganic compounds, organic compounds, man-made materials, and naturally occurring materials;
- and
- (c) reactively incorporating a nanostructured chemical selected from the group consisting of POSS, POS, and POMS with the polymer and particulate, wherein the nanostructured chemical reactively bonds with the polymer or the particulate;
- wherein the nanostructured material facilitates dispersion of the particulate in the polymer.
11-12. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.