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

CBET-1342028由有机聚合物和各种纳米材料组成的纳米复合材料的发展引起了人们越来越大的兴趣。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、传输、渗透和分离性能方面具有独特的功能。尽管纳米材料被认为具有潜在的危险，但当它们被封装到基质中时，通常被认为是安全的。然而，尽管纳米材料的释放对人类健康和环境具有潜在的风险，但缺乏系统的研究来证实上述范式。智力优势：目前关于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妥善解决。这一知识鸿沟可能会阻碍聚合物在各种工业中的应用和接受。更具体地说，基质和纳米复合材料的稳定性都是至关重要的。众所周知，聚合物基质在生产、使用和处置过程中暴露在各种环境条件下会发生降解。这可能会导致纳米制剂的释放，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非常重要的。更具体地说，评估碳纳米管(CNTs)从复合材料中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。这个项目将利用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。这将对通过开发准确的计量工具来增进我们对各种碳纳米管暴露场景的了解具有巨大的价值。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是至关重要的。广泛的影响：该项目可以通过评估提供功能纳米复合材料的各种战略来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，从而减少对健康和环境的影响。这些方法旨在及时为基本了解纳米技术的环境、健康和安全做出贡献。在这个项目的过程中，学生将获得许多科学和工程领域的基础和应用知识，包括纳米技术的环境健康和安全。我们的团队已经利用了石溪大学一个新的NSF REU网站的资源，该网站致力于健康、能源和环境的纳米技术。我们将继续通过REU网站招生，该网站主要面向有这个研究项目的四年制非研究型院校的学生。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，包括来自少数群体和经济困难社区的学生以及女性。所有这些活动将为实现这项提议的显著更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