METE 560 POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES

REFERENCE BOOKS :

1. Koo ,  Polymer Nanocomposites ,  Mc Graw-Hill , all editions

2.  Mai & Yu ,  Polymer Nanocomposites ,  Woodhead-CRC Press , all editions

3. Friedrich & Fakirov & Zhang ,  Polymer Composites from Nano to Macro Scale , Springer , all editions

4.  Ray & Bousmina ,  Polymer Nanocomposites and their Applications ,  ASP , all editions

5.  Advani , Processing and Properties of Nanocomposites , World-Scientific , all editions

6. Mikitaev & Kozlov & Zaikov , Polymer Nanocomposites ,  Nova Publishers , all editions

COURSE CONTENT :

1. AN OVERVIEW OF MICRO- AND MACRO- SCALE POLYMER COMPOSITES    (1 week)

Definitions, Types, Micro- and Macro- Mechanics, Properties, Applications

2. WHAT IS POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITE ?                                                                (1.5 week)

Definitions, Types, Mechanisms, Structure-Property Relationships

Importance of Aspect Ratio, Surface Area/Volume Ratio, Geometry (particulate, fibrous, layered)

Comparisons of Polymer Nanocomposites with Micro- and Macro- Polymer Composites

Hybrid Polymer Nanocomposites (binary systems, ternary systems)

3. POLYMERIC MATRIX MATERIALS USED                                                               (0.5 week)

Basic Classes: Thermoplastics, Thermosets, Elastomers, Blends

Structures: Conducting and Conjugated, Liquid Crystalline, Biodegradable

Forms: Fibers, Foams, Films, Membranes, Paints

4. NANO-PARTICULATES USED                                                                                       (1 week)

Geometric forms: Nanospheres, Nanotubes and Nanofibers, Nanoplatelets

Most widely used ones: Nanoclays and Carbon Nanotubes (single wall, multi wall)

Others: Carbon Nanofibers, Fullerene, Graphite, Nanosilica, Nanoalumina, Nanotitania

Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes POSS, Cubic Silsesquioxanes, Nano-calcium carbonate

5. IMPORTANCE OF INTERFACE BETWEEN MATRIX AND NANO-PHASE         (1 week)

Effects of Nano-phase Surface on Matrix Bonding, Interfacial Strength

Processes: Purification, Surface Modification, Functionalization, Pregrafting by Irradiation

6. PRODUCTION OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES                                                 (1 week)

Three Basic Methods: Melt Processes, Solution Processes, In-situ Processes

Others: Sonication, Roll Milling, High-shear Mixing, Emulsion Polymerization

Problems: Viscosity Increase, Dispersion Difficulties, Agglomeration, Sedimentation, Orientation

7. STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES      (0.5 week)

X-ray Diffraction (SAXS, WAXD), Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM),

Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM, AFM), Spectroscopic Methods (EDS, FTIR)

8. MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES                       (1 week)

Strength, Stiffness, Hardness, Fracture Toughness and Mechanisms, Fatigue, Tribology (Friction-Wear)

Mechanical tests: Tensile, Compressive, Flexural, Impact, Nano-scratch, Nano-hardness

9. THERMAL RESPONSE OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES                                   (1 week)

Thermal Expansion, Dimensional Stability, Thermal Conductivity, Creep and Mechanisms

Thermal tests: Dynamic Mechanical Analysis DMA, Thermogravimetric Analysis TGA, DSC

10. FIRE RETARDANCY OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES                                    (1 week)

Flame Retardancy Mechanisms, Synergism with Conventional Flame Retardants,

Flammability Tests: Limiting Oxygen Index LOI, UL-94, Heat Release Rate by Cone Calorimetry

11. CHEMICAL RESISTANCE OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES                          (0.5 week)

Gas and Liquid Barrier Properties (diffusivity, sorption, permeability), Mechanisms

Water Uptake, Solvent Uptake, Weathering resistance (Photo-oxidation, UV-irradiation)

12. ELECTROMAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES       (0.5 week)

Semiconductivity, Dielectric properties, Optical Transparency, Light-emitting Diodes, Luminescence,

Ferrofluids, Magnetic Biosensors, Magnetic Shielding, Magnetic Recording Media

13. APPLICATIONS AND FUTURE TRENDS OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES (0.5 week)

Automobiles, Aerospace, Coatings, Adhesives, Fire-retardants, Packaging Materials,

Microelectronic Packaging, Optical Integrated Circuits, Drug Delivery, Sensors, Membranes, Medical Devices, etc.

14. IN-CLASS PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS OF TERM-PROJECTS         (3 weeks)

TERM-PROJECT:

                        A special Polymer Nanocomposites system will be assigned for 1 or 2 students whom will submit a report

and perform in-class presentation with discussions.