Nanoscience is a growing field which is a subset of major scientific fields such as chemistry, physics, engineering, biology, and environmental science with a particular focus on the nanometer length scale. Polymers are typically large molecules—not nano in size. One might hear these two descriptions and immediately jump to the conclusion that there is no place for polymers within nanotechnology, and conversely, that there is no place for nanoparticles within polymer science. That is a false conclusion! These big molecules have already made small scale science more powerful, efficient, and innovative—and are poised to continue to do so as future technology is developed combining polymers and nanomaterials.
In-Use Applications
For many the words “nanoscience” and “nanotechnology” bring associations of technology that is highly futuristic and out of reach. However, there are many applications of nano materials within polymer science that happen each and every day.
Nanomaterials are currently added to polymers for a variety of reasons and within a variety of applications. For example, silver nanoparticles can be added to polymers in order to provide antimicrobial properties, as silver inhibits bacterial growth. Other applications of nanoparticles include reinforcing translucent or transparent polymers to increase the physical strength with minimal loss of clarity. Nanoparticles are smaller than the wave lengths of light, which is between 400-700nm, this means that they do not contribute to the refraction of light (which would cause opacity) and can still enhance the physical properties of a polymer.
Nanomaterials can also be used as catalysts. The smaller a nanoparticle, the more reactive it is due to a high ratio of high energy to low energy sites on the surface. This increase of high energy sites raises the surface energy of a material which can then act as the driving mechanism in a chemical reaction. This means that the use of nanoparticles reduces or replaces the energy needed to initiate a chemical reaction making it an excellent catalyst.
Polymers & Carbon Nanotubes (Innovations/Excitement on the Horizon)
Although nanomaterials are already being put to amazing uses within polymer science there is still a tremendous amount of untapped potential when it comes to combining nanoscience with polymer science.
One nanomaterial that has been hailed a “miracle material” and is surrounded by quite a buzz within scientific circles is graphene. This mind blowing material is poised to create numerous scientific breakthroughs and better the world as we know it. Graphene has the thickness of one atomic monolayer. When wrapped into a straw like structure it is known as carbon nanotubes. Even alone, carbon nanotubes are a tremendously powerful material structure, but paired with polymers, their beneficial properties are amplified.
Researchers from Kyushu University in Japan have found ways to apply polymers to the outside of carbon nanotubes to keep the tubes from sticking together, which is a significant solution to a prevalent problem. Nanotubes are 50,000 times thinner than a human hair—can you image trying to untangle a mess of nanotubes? Fortunately, thanks to polymers, that problem can be avoided altogether.
Another way in which polymers are partnering with nanotechnology is by increasing the energy retention of solar cells. Nanotechnology is a major player in the development of more efficient solar cells, and researchers discovered that by coating a carbon nanotube in the right colored polymer, sun rays are more drawn to the receptors.
Self-Assembling Polymers & Nanomaterials
Self assembling polymer molecules hold tremendous promise for future developments of semiconductor transistors. In order for the semiconductor industry to continue advancing, it is necessary for transistors to get smaller and smaller while either maintaining or increasing their power. A radical approach that just may work is through directed self-assembly. This process works by using block copolymers that assemble themselves into regular structures and guiding them into a pattern by utilizing chemical guides applied using conventional lithography. The final pattern of block copolymers has greater detail than the pre-pattern and can serve as a template for the future chemical processes that etch features into a silicon wafer. The smallest transistors in commercial production today have features as small as 14 nanometers. With self assembly, it is thought that features can shrink to as small as 7 nanometers. This approach to creating transistors is not yet compatible with large scale production, but does give hope that future developments are simply on the horizon and soon-to-be realized.
Present day chemistry and materials engineering is utilizing the powerful partnership of nanomaterials and polymers. This partnership is positioned such that it will further innovation in incredible ways in the very near future.
This article was written by our business partners at Polymer Solutions.
Polymer Solutions is an independent testing lab that provides chemical analysis and physical testing for the medical device, pharmaceutical, defense, packaging, and consumer products industries.