Cooperation on Nanocomposite Materials Using PNNL/EMSL User Facilities
EMSL Project ID
2575
Abstract
Nanotechnology is leading to unprecedented understanding and control over the basic building blocks and properties of natural and man-made materials. We propose here to establish a cooperation with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in nanomaterials research, initially related to carbon nanotube-polymer nanocomposites. The Rensselaer Nanotechnology Center (RNC) is funded by gifts from 5 major industries, and grants from the Office of Naval Research, the Army Natick Soldier Center, the National Science Foundation, DARPA, NASA, and the State of New York. Total funding for the RNC is more than $5 million annually. As part of the RNC, the National Science Foundation established a Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (NSEC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in September of 2001 entitled the !0Center for Directed Assembly of Nanostructures.!1 The RNC has strong research capabilities in the synthesis of nanoscale building blocks (e.g., inorganic and organic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes), preparation of nanocomposite materials, and mechanical and electrical property characterization of nanocomposites. This expertise would be synergistic with PNNL!/s strengths in the areas of synthesis and fabrication of nanomaterials and in the use of interface control to optimize properties of nanomaterials. In addition, the state-of-the-art facilities of PNNL would be a clear benefit to RPI. We propose here to cooperate with PNNL/EMSL by using EMSL user facilities in the following research areas: (1) Chemical modification of carbon nanotubes in order to manipulate their dispersion in solvents and nanocomposites and their interactions with a polymer matrix; (2) Using carbon nanotubes as enhanced fillers for polymers to achieve improvements in the toughness and stiffness of the polymers as well as increases in the glass transition temperature; (3) Preparation of oriented carbon nanotube-polymer nanocomposites. Dr. Aardahl!/s group has a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) facility to prepare aligned carbon nanotubes. The alignment of carbon nanotubes in polymers is important for optimizing mechanical properties. Well-aligned carbon nanotubes grown on mesoporous silica films by CVD have been successfully prepared in Dr. Aardehl!/s group. The obtained aligned carbon nanotubes could be used to prepare oriented carbon nanotube-polymer nanocomposites. This cooperative research is aligned with the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) and its emphasis on long-term, fundamental research in nanoscience and nanotechnology, supporting new interdisciplinary centers including shared user facilities. The work proposed will strengthen PNNL capabilities and form strategic alliances with other national laboratories and universities to enable scientists to make fundamental scientific contributions in synthesis and characterization. The technology developed has the potential to address several DOE mission areas, including nanoscience, nanotechnology and national security.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2002-09-01
End Date
2003-09-05
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Related Publications
Jiang K, RW Siegel, X Zhang, H Zhang, M Terrones, and LS Schadler. 2004. "Protein Immobilization on Carbon Nanotubes Via a Two-Step
Process of Diimide-Activated Amidation." Journal of Materials Chemistry 14:37-39.