STTR Phase I: Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS)/Nanoparticle Masterbatch Blends for Electronic Packaging

这个小企业技术转让（STTR）第一阶段项目将评估使用专门定制的POSS组分作为分散剂在选定的高性能热塑性塑料中生产纳米管和纳米颗粒“母料”的技术和商业可行性。用碳纳米管和其他纳米颗粒对聚合物进行改性是广泛研究和感兴趣的主题，因为其可能产生显著增强的机械、电和热性能。 然而，目前碳纳米管在聚合物中的商业用途仅限于少数专门应用，主要是由于难以获得纳米颗粒在聚合物基质中的充分分散，这对于实现所需性能至关重要。与许多其他纳米颗粒不同，多面体低聚倍半硅氧烷（POSS）纳米颗粒容易分散在广泛的聚合物基质中。这是通过定制POSS分子的化学结构以与特定聚合物树脂相容来实现的。基于POSS/碳纳米管分散体的商业化、导电、透明的工程热塑性纳米复合材料可以立即应用于广泛的高科技产品，包括用于显示器、电子包装、计算机和商业设备产品以及飞机座舱盖的抗静电和/或屏蔽塑料。据估计，2005年仅导电塑料的市场就达10亿美元。此外，一家著名的塑料制造商表示有兴趣在第一阶段完成时将POSS色母粒商业化。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will evaluate the technical and commercial feasibility of producing nanotube and nanoparticle "masterbatches" in selected high-performance thermoplastics using specifically tailored POSS components as dispersing agents. Polymer modification with carbon nanotubes and other nanoparticles is the subject of extensive research and interest because of the potential to produce dramatically enhanced mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Current commercial use of carbon nanotubes in polymers, however, is limited to only a few specialized applications due chiefly to difficulties in obtaining adequate dispersion of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix, which is critical to achieve the desired properties. Unlike many other nanoparticles, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles are easily dispersed in a wide range of polymer matrices. This is achieved by tailoring the chemical structure of the POSS molecule for compatibility with the specific polymer resin. Commercially, conductive, transparent engineering thermoplastic nanocomposites based on POSS/carbon nanotube dispersions could find immediate application in a wide range of high-tech products including antistatic and/or shielding plastics for displays, electronic packaging, computer and business equipment products, and aircraft canopies. The market for conductive plastics alone is estimated at $1 billion for 2005. In addition, a prominent plastics manufacturer has shown interest in commercialization of the POSS masterbatches at the completion of Phase I.