nanofiller (rus. нанонаполнитель) — a doping agent distributed in the matrix of a composite, whose individual elements have at least one of their dimensions in the nanoscale.

Description

The properties of composites are largely dependent, in addition to other parameters, on the area of interface surface and the intensity of intermolecular interaction between the materials of the matrix and the filler. While nanofiller particles are usually sized below 100 nm, their higher specific surface area than that of fillers with larger particles allows one to substantially reduce the composite’s degree of filling. Transition to the nanoscale of filler alongside the optimisation of synthesis parameters helps to not only reduce specific consumption of the filler, but also to produce higher performance materials.

The most common nanofillers include laminated alumosilicates (clays), carbon nanotubes and nanofibres, ultradisperse diamonds (nanodiamonds), fullerenes, inorganic nanotubes, nanoparticles of silicon oxide and calcium carbonate, as well as metallic nanoparticles.

When using nanofillers, one of the key priorities is to make sure they are evenly (or specifically, for example, in case of functional gradient materials) distributed in the composite matrix.

Authors

  • Govorun Elena N.
  • Khokhlov Alexey R.

Sources

  1. Bedanokov A.J. et al. Polymer nanocomposites: The current state of the issue. (in Russian)— http://rusnanotech08.rusnanoforum.ru/sadm_files/disk/Docs/2/43/43%20(26).pdf (reference date: 12.12.2011).
  2. Nanocomposite Plastics: Technology, Strategy, Trends. (in Russian) — http://newchemistry.ru (reference date 12.12.2011).