Developing sustainable nanoparticles for reinforcement of next generation green materials and composites

甲壳素纳米晶须是一种广泛应用的高性能纳米材料，通常从渔业废弃物中提取。碳纳米纤维具有与纳米纤维素相似的结构和性能，在高性能聚合物纳米复合材料的开发中具有重要的增强潜力。这些具有改进的机械和物理性能的纳米复合材料可以在从结构到包装的广泛应用中用作轻质，有效和高效的组件。 该项目的目标是：1）全面表征单个CNW，2）开发从水中分离CNW的策略，3）表征候选热固性和热塑性聚合物基质。对于第一个目标，将使用强大的原位测试方法对CNW进行详细的纳米表征，以确定物理特性（机械，形态，导电性和导热性）。还将使用光谱学和晶体学检测方法进行表征。对于第二个目标，热力学处理策略，从水中隔离碳纳米管将被探索。冷冻干燥、超临界干燥和溶剂交换技术是今后发展的主要技术。在最终目标中，将对热固性和热塑性基质候选物进行预处理表征（粘弹性、热和化学）。 这项工作将成为科学和工业研究中对单个CNW进行纳米表征的第一次尝试之一。该项目的结果将为最终确定最合适的纳米复合材料加工/功能添加剂策略提供全球范围，以用于随后的研究工作。该项目的成功完成预计将为亿阳提供一个平台，最终利用碳纳米管作为开发先进材料技术的广泛可用的生物资源;为加拿大的回收和制造业增加市场机会。

Chitin nano-whiskers (CNWs) are a widely available and high performance nano-material extracted commonly from the waste products of the fishing industry. The structure and properties of CNWs are similar to nano-cellulose, which has already been demonstrated to posses significant potential for reinforcement in the development of high performance polymer nano-composites. These nano-composites with improved mechanical and physical properties can then be utilized as lightweight, effective and efficient components in a wide range of applications from structural to packaging. The objectives of this project are: 1) comprehensive characterization of individual CNWs, 2) development of strategies for isolation of CNWs from water and, 3) characterization of candidate thermoset and thermoplastic polymer matrices. For the first objective, detailed nano characterization will be performed on CNWs using robust in-situ testing methods to determine physical properties (mechanical, morphological, electrical & thermal conductivity). Spectroscopic and crystallographic testing methods will be also be used for characterization. For the second objective, thermodynamic processing strategies to isolate CNWs from water will be explored. Freeze drying, supercritical drying and solvent exchange are the primary techniques that will be developed. In the final objective, pre-processing characterization (viscoelastic, thermal, and chemical) of thermoset and thermoplastic matrix candidates will be performed. This work would form one of the first such attempts amongst scientific and industrial research in nano characterization of individual CNWs. The results from this project will provide a global scope for ultimately determining the most suitable nano-composite processing/functional additive strategies to employ in subsequent research efforts. Successful completion of this project is expected to provide BOCO with a platform to ultimately utilize CNWs as a vastly available bio-resource for development of advanced materials technologies; increasing market opportunities for both the recycling and manufacturing industries in Canada.