EAGER: Development of Novel Analytical Approaches for Measurements of CNTs Release from Polymer Nanocomposites

人们对有机聚合物和各种纳米材料组成的纳米复合材料的开发越来越感兴趣。与未经改性的聚合物相比，这些新材料在介电、磁、热、机械、光学、输运、渗透和分离性能方面具有独特的功能。虽然纳米材料被认为有潜在的危险，但当它们被封装到基质中时，通常被认为是安全的。然而，尽管纳米材料释放对人类健康和环境存在潜在风险，但缺乏系统的研究来证实上述范式。智力优势：目前对纳米复合材料稳定性的研究主要集中在短期稳定性和性能上，而长期问题尚未得到适当解决。这种知识差距有可能阻碍聚合物在各个行业的应用和接受。更具体地说，基质和纳米复合材料的稳定性至关重要。众所周知，聚合物基质在生产、使用和处置过程中暴露于各种环境条件下会发生降解。这可能导致纳米填料的释放，这可能会导致各种健康和环境问题。因此，了解纳米复合材料在相关环境条件下的行为是至关重要的。更具体地说，评估复合材料中碳纳米管（CNTs）的释放量和速率对现有的分析技术来说是一个巨大的挑战。本项目将使用C-14标记的碳纳米管，这将使我们能够使用相对简单的分析技术来量化释放的碳纳米管。这将通过开发精确的计量工具来提高我们对各种碳纳米管暴露情况的认识，具有巨大的价值。该工具对于开发封装在聚合物复合材料中的碳纳米管的准确生命周期评估也至关重要。更广泛的影响：该项目可以通过评估各种策略来提供减少健康和环境影响的功能性纳米复合材料，从而显著影响纳米毒理学、环境工程、材料科学和绿色化学/工程领域。这些方法旨在及时对纳米技术的环境、健康和安全的基本理解作出贡献。在这个项目的过程中，学生将获得包括纳米技术的环境、健康和安全在内的许多科学和工程领域的基础和应用知识。我们的团队已经利用了美国国家科学基金会在石溪大学的健康、能源和环境纳米技术研究中心的新资源。我们将继续通过REU网站招收学生，该网站的重点是来自非研究性的四年制大学的学生。通过石溪大学已经建立的几个招聘机制，我们将接触到代表性不足的群体，包括少数民族和经济弱势社区的学生以及女性。所有这些活动将为该提案取得显著的广泛影响奠定良好的基础

CBET - 1342028There is growing interest in the development of nanocomposites consisting of organic polymersand various nanomaterials. These new materials can provide unique functionalities as comparedto unmodified polymers in terms of dielectric, magnetic, thermal, mechanical, optical, transport,permeation and separation properties. Although nanomaterials are considered potentially hazardous,they are often considered safe when encapsulated into the matrix. However, systematic researchto confirm the abovementioned paradigm is lacking, despite the potential risks of nanomaterialrelease to human health and environment.Intellectual Merit :Current research on the stability of nanocomposites has focused primarily on short term stabilityand performance, whereas the longer term issues have not been properly addressed. This knowledgegap has the potential to hinder both applications and acceptance of polymers in various industries.More specifically, stability of both matrix and nanocomposites are of critical importance.It is known that the polymer matrix can undergo degradation when exposed to various environmentalconditions during production, use and disposal. This can lead to nanofiller release, whichcan potentially cause various health and environmental problems. Therefore, it is absolutelycritical to understand the behavior of nanocomposites under relevant environmental conditions.More specifically, evaluation of the amounts and rates of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) releasefrom composites has been a tremendous challenge for the existing analytical techniques sofar. This project will utilize C-14 labeled CNTs which will allow us to quantify the releasedCNTs using a relatively simple analytical technique. This will be of tremendous value foradvancing our knowledge of various CNTs exposure scenarios by developing accurate metrologytools. This tool can be also vital for development of accurate life cycle assessments of CNTsencapsulated into the polymer composites.Broader Impacts :This project can significantly impact nanotoxicology, environmental engineering, materialsscience and green chemistry/engineering areas through evaluation of various strategies fordelivering functional nanocomposites with reduced health and environmental impacts. Theseapproaches are designed to make timely contributions to a basic understanding of the environmentalhealth and safety of nanotechnology. During the course of this project, the students willgain fundamental and applied knowledge in many areas of science and engineering encompassingenvironmental health and safety of nanotechnology. Our team has already utilized the resourcesof a new NSF REU site in Nanotechnology for Health, Energy, and the Environment at Stony BrookUniversity. We will continue to recruit students through the REU site, which focuses on studentsfrom non-research, 4-year institutions with this research project. Through several recruitmentmechanisms already established at the Stony Brook University we will reach underrepresentedgroups, including students from minority and economically disadvantaged communities as wellas females. All these activities will establish a good foundation to achieve notable broaderimpacts of this proposal