[nanoPost] Composites and nanocomposites with inorganics

Research Centre Italy

Composites and nanocomposites with inorganics

The functionalized polyolefins are employed and tested as compatibilizers in polyolefins blends with polar polymers and in their reactive blending with PET, polyamides, or silicates. Full characterization of the blends and their testing for various applications are performed in cooperation with national and European industrial companies.

Electroconductive polymers

Electroconducting polymers are prepared by polymerization of pyrrole, tiophene, aniline and some derivatives. In the case of alkylpyrroles polymers Langmuir Blodgett films and self organized films are prepared and used for nanowriting under electron beam irradiation. Thermoplastic conductive material is prepared by grafting of polythiofene chains into polyacrylates macromolecules. Complexes of polyaniline (emeraldine basis) are blended with sulphonated polystyrene in order to obtain compatibilization thanks to electrostatic binding at the interfaces.

Modification of dielectric properties of cable coating polymers is investigated in case of blends of Polyolefins with carbon black.

Active packaging

Development of nanostructured materials for flexible films which can react on the action of external radiation or intrusive chemicals thus allowing properties modulation, and control as well as the efficient protection of the content).

Intelligent packaging

Films containing molecular sensors allowing to detect the alteration and contamination of the product, and/or electronic or electro optic systems for information recording and transfer.

2. Nanotechnology in paper packaging

Extensible Paper (Mould Paper)

A novel extensible paper material of pure cellulose (Mould Paper). Extensibility in longitudinal direction 20%, in transversal direction 16%. The paper can, at a large scale, substitute pure plastics materials in the field of thermoformed packages. It can, if properties like barrier, sealing etc. are requested, be coupled with any kind of polymer film or aluminium foil and can be run on any kind of thermoform machinery available of the market.

First applications on the market are already present.

MOULD PAPER is covered by five patents of industrial invention of which four are already international, one has recently been filed.

The development of MOULD PAPER, its composites and applications is in continuous development and other patents are in the pipeline

Renewable ecocompatible packaging

Plastomer and elastomer based on natural polymers alternative to man made polymers by chemical and physical modification of cellulose and dispersion of nanoparticles/nanocomposites.

Nano-modification of the properties of paper

Novel plasma technologies for the nano-modifications of the properties of paper. Industrial applications for the special papers (Mould Paper).