SBIR Phase I: High Aspect-Ratio Boehmite Platelets

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将开发一种生产高纵横比薄水铝石纳米级小片的工艺。勃姆石是一种廉价的矿物，大量生产，作为氧化铝催化剂载体的前体。在该项目中，将开发简单和廉价的方法来改性薄水铝石的表面，使其在各种聚合物基质中分散并与之反应。微妙地改变薄水铝石的合成条件，并在反应混合物中加入定向形态的化合物，可以获得高长径比的薄水铝石晶片。颗粒的大小和形状将通过X射线衍射和光散射技术的组合进行常规测量，而这些技术又将通过原子力显微镜和透射电子显微镜进行验证。在本研究项目中开发的高深宽比薄水铝石将显著改善其复合材料的阻隔性能，从而产生廉价的用于包装、涂料和涂层的纳米复合阻隔薄膜。高深宽比薄水铝石复合材料的力学性能也有望得到改善。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a process for producing high-aspect ratio boehmite nanoscopic platelets. Boehmite is an inexpensive mineral produced in large volumes as a precursor to alumina catalyst supports. In the project simple and inexpensive methods for modifying the surface of boehmite to render it dispersible in and reactive with a wide variety of polymeric matrices will be developed. Subtly changing the boehmite synthesis conditions and adding morphology-directing compounds to the reaction mixture will achieve the formation of high aspect-ratio boehmite platelets. Particle size and shape will routinely be measured by a combination of x-ray diffraction and light scattering techniques which will, in turn, be verified by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The high aspect ratio boehmite developed in this research project will result in dramatic improvements to the barrier properties of its composites, leading to inexpensive nanocomposite barrier films for packaging, paints and coatings. Mechanical properties of composites with high-aspect ratio boehmite platelets are also expected to improve.