Silicon nanocomposite foams for improved thermal stability and performance

虽然泡沫的使用已被证明可以改善汽车设计中许多结构的重量，但除非采用热固性材料，否则碳基聚合物材料保持稳定性和性能的温度范围在某种程度上受到限制。在泡沫中引入具有独特热性能（在极低和极高温度下）的有机硅基聚合物功能将增加这些材料的可用温度范围，从而允许在全球任何气候下使用。预计这将限制制造过程中的变化。该项目的重点是开发通过原位生产（聚合过程中产生的气体）和/或模板（利用乳液聚合）方法形成的聚合物泡沫的新方法。定制这些系统的物理化学性质将允许制备坚固但轻质的阻燃材料，并可应用于广泛的汽车应用，如座椅，密封件，阻尼等。这些材料将被合成为有机硅基聚合物材料或有机硅混合材料。纳米粒子的掺入或二氧化硅纳米粒子的原位生长将进一步改善材料的性能，如韧性和整体寿命。这些聚合物泡沫的表征将通过分子和材料技术实现，如扫描电子显微镜，原位同步，SAXS/WAXS分析，X射线断层扫描，红外和拉曼光谱以及机械性能（静态和动态模式）。

Whilst the use of foams has been shown to improve the weight of many structures within automotive design, unless a thermoset material is implemented, the temperature range in which carbon-based polymer materials maintain stability and performance is somewhat limited. Introduction of silicone-based polymer functionality which possesses unique thermal properties (at both very low and very high temperatures) within foams will increase the usable temperature range for these materials, thus allowing use within any climate worldwide. This is expected to limit variation in manufacturing processes. This project centres on the development of new methods for production of polymer foams formed via in situ production (gas generated during polymerisation) and/or templating (utilising emulsion polymerisation) methods. Tailoring the physico-chemical properties of these systems will allow for the preparation of strong but lightweight materials that are flame retardant and may be applied towards a wide range of automotive applications such as seats, seals, damping, etc. These materials will be synthesised as silicone-based polymeric materials or silicone hybrid materials. The incorporation of nanoparticles or the growth of silica nanoparticles in situ, will further improve the performance such as toughness and overall lifetime of the materials. The characterisation of these polymer foams will be achieved through both molecular and materials techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy, in situ simultaneous, SAXS/WAXS analysis, X-ray tomography, Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy as well as mechanical properties (in both static and dynamic modes).