AFINITY - Analysis of functionalised nanomaterial interactions with polymers

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The Haydale group have a range of plasma functionalised nanomaterial (HDPlas) products which they disperse in a variety of polymers to enhance their customers products. Countless developments conducted within Haydale have demonstrated that the use of their patented HDPlas plasma technology is effective in imparting specific functional groups to the nanomaterial surface for improved compatibility within the host polymer. This nanomaterial surface functionality leads to property enhancements in the final products above and beyond the use of unfunctionalised nanomaterials.Interpreting the mechanism by which the plasma functionalisation of nanomaterials enables the observed property improvements, such as mechanical, thermal and electrical conductivity, will enable Haydale to focus the development of their entire product range; allowing quick and efficient selection of improved functionalisation chemistries that can optimise the performance of their current products.AFINITY aims to uncover this mechanism using a dual approach of advanced analytical techniques at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and modelling at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). This dual approach of using analytical facilities with complimentary modelling will ensure that the highest level of information is obtained from AFINITY, and that any conclusions are drawn with a high level of confidence and accuracy.