Helmholtz Association

HARCANA

High aspect ratio carbon-based nanocomposites

Activity Code: NMP-2007-2.1-1

Coordinator: Prof. Dr Volker Abetz,Institute of Polymer Research, GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht

 

Abstract:

High aspect ratio carbon-based nanoparticles (nanotubes (CNT), nanofibres (CNF), and nanosheets or exfoliated graphite (CNS)) will be introduced into bulk polymers, into polymeric foams and into membranes. It is expected that such nanofillers will tremendously improve and modify the properties of these families of materials, allowing them to reach new markets. However, a common and fundamental problem in polymer-based nanocomposites is the large extent of agglomeration of the nanoparticles due to their high surface to volume ratio. Therefore, techniques to control deagglomeration and possibly further organization of these high aspect ratio nanoparticles in polymeric materials remain a challenge.

This project under industrial leadership will therefore aim at mastering, at the nanometric and mesoscale level, the spatial organization of carbon-based nanoparticles (CNP) with various surface functionalities, sizes and shapes having large aspect ratios in bulk, foamed and thin film (membranes) polymers by using industrially viable processes. More precisely, the aim of this proposal consists in generating polymer-based nanocomposites with a percolating nanoparticle structure that is reinforcing the material and imparts it with improved electrical and thermal conductivity at a minimum of nanoparticle loading.

 

Project Details:

Start Date: 01.07.2008

End Date: 30.06.2012

EU Contribution: 5.44 Mio. Euro

Total Costs: 7.39 Mio. Euro

Funding Scheme: no contract type 

Administrative Contact Person: Dr Hans-Jörg Isemer, isemer (at) gkss.de

Scientific Coordinator: Prof. Dr Volker Abetz, Volker.Abetz (at) gkss.de

Project Website: http://www.harcana.eu/

 

Partners:

  • GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht, Germany

  • Ecole Supérieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielles de la Ville de Paris, France

  • Inergy Automotive Systems Research SA, Belgium

  • Materia Nova, Belgium

  • Borsig Membrane Technology GmbH, Germany

  • Institutul Naţional de Cercetare – Dezvoltare pentru Chimie si Petrochimie - ICECHIM Bucuresti, Romania

  • Emerson & Cuming Microwave Products, Belgium

  • Future Carbon GmbH, Germany

  • GMT Membrantechnik GmbH, Germany

  • Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium

  • Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Spain

  • Université de Liège, Belgium

20.05.2012