Global overview of bio-nano composite technology

Transcription

1 Global overview of bio-nano composite technology Mohini Sain Director of Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing University of Toronto OECD Nanocellulose Workshop, July 16th, 2009

2 Outlines 1. Nano-entity Isolation Processes 2. State-of Art Manufacturing and Challenges 3. Commercialization 4. Applications

3 Cellulose Nano-entity Isolation Process Nano-crystal/ Whiskers

4 Nano-fibres Isolation Process

5 Micro and (Nano)-fibre production Bleached pulp Mid 20 th Century (iii) Cryocrushing (High impact) (i) Pulp disintegrator (ii) Refiner (High shear) Liquid N 2 (a) Water suspension (b) Defibrilation Filtered (mesh size -60)

6 Value of IP: Energy and Chemical Reduction in Isolation Process Enzymatic Treatment: treated with enzyme which can also effectively break down the amorphous regions of cellulose and make them easy to separate into smaller sizes. Fibers produced using this treatment proven to have higher aspect ratio. Three patents are now published (VTT, STFI and UofT) Two of them are using off-the shelve Enzymes and the other using Proprietary Microbial strain Cellulosic Nanocomposite: A Review Hubbe et al (2008)

7 Commercial and Scale-up operation Japan Norway Canada Finland

8 Surface Modification

9 Advantages of Surface Modification Improve fiber distribution and fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion Reduce the hydrophobic tendency of fiber Adding new properties to materials

10 Surface energy = dispersive component + specific interactions (London dispersion forces) dipole W d ab a Wa Wa Wa W dipole 0 a Wa is total work of adhesion W d a is work of adhesion due to dispersion forces W ab a is Work of adhesion due to acid-base intercations W polar is work of adhesion due to polar interactions a Adhesion (acid-base interactions) Polymer (non/less-polar) OH OH OH OH OH Nanofiber (polar)

11 Bio-nanocomposites Manufacturing Recent Advancement Cellulose-based and All Cellulose Bionanocomposites

12 Nano-composite Manufacturing

13 @ CBBP, University of Toronto

14 Nanocellulose CBBP, University of Toronto

15 @ CBBP, University of Toronto

16 Electro-spinning

17 Composites Manufacturing Process Research

18 Overview of Manufacturing Processes & Applications Novel Loose fibre Mat Technology Thermoforming Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) Sheet Molded Composite (SMC) Short Reinforcing Fibre Technology Injection Molding Foaming

19 Opportunities for Transportation Industry New green plastics composites (Optically Transparent). Early access of the industry and its suppliers to a highperformance cost-effective nano particle for reinforcing a wide range of composites Potential products: Structural components Exterior structural components, paints, coatings Vehicle interior components Glass replacement Development of product for markets outsied the automobile industry, e.g. recreational vehicles, aero-space industry

20 A Class A Paints /Coating F- Intelligent Systems & Sensors B Spinned Fibre reinfor Foamed Materials C Modulated Optical Structure (window) D - Powertrains casing E Lightweight Panel

21 Conclusions Cellulosic nanofibers have unique mechanical, optical, electrical and chemical properties that can be utilized in a variety of diverse applications Successful and positive results have been achieved through the efforts of many dedicative research and studies However, the scaling-up and the longterm durability of the nanocomposites remain as a question.

22 Commercialization Barriers Lack of Investment in Scale up Process Lack of coordinated approach between OEMs and Customers Difficulty in cost estimation due to lack of scale up data Lack of product line growth due to no supply of large quantity samples Overly concerned for a potential initial high price