Advanced polyolefin nanocomposite materials by surface-initiated living olefin polymerization technology

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Reducing the energy required to move people and products is one of the biggest long-term challenges that the transportation industry faces in Canada and worldwide. High-performance polymer nanocomposite materials reinforced with inorganic nanofillers have attracted tremendous attention from the transportation industry as a novel class of lightweight yet strong structural materials to replace metals for energy savings. However, the performance and broad technological utilization of polymer nanocomposites have been restricted by the lack of effective methods to achieve uniform nanofiller dispersion and strong nanofiller-polymer interactions, which are key to nanocomposite performance properties. This proposed project is aimed at improving Canada's competitive position in the development and utilization of lightweight polyolefin nanocomposites for the transportation industry. The anticipated outcome of this project is an advanced polyolefin nanocomposite technology, surface-initiated living olefin polymerization technology, for making high-performance polyolefin nanocomposites of outstanding mechanical performance. This technology will provide nanocomposites featured with more uniform nanofiller dispersion and stronger nanofiller-polymer interactions. If successful, these value-added nanocomposite materials are anticipated to have wide applications in the transportation industry.