Abstract: Nanocomposites and method of making same are provided using nanoplatelets. A nanocomposite is provided, and the nanocomposite includes nanoparticles, inorganic platelets, and a polymer material. A method is provided for dispersing nanoparticles into a polymeric material by using inorganic nanoplatelets.

Abstract: A dispersible nanocomposite comprising nanotubes associated with nanoplatelets. A method for creating an exfoliated nanotubes solution, aligning nanotubes and depositing them on a substrate or in matrix. In one embodiment, the method includes a nanocomposite of at least one nanotube electrostatically associated with at least one nanoplatelet. The nanoplatelets may be removed from the suspension by altering the ionic strength to create an exfoliated nanotube solution. The exfoliated nanotube solution for injection into microchannel templates and aligned deposition.

Abstract: A two step method for preparing a filler composition, the filler composition useful to prepare a nanocomposite polymer and an epoxy nanocomposite coating. First, disperse a water dispersible filler material in a liquid comprising water, but without any added intercalation agent, to form a dispersion. Second, replace at least a portion of the water of the liquid with an organic solvent so that the water concentration of the liquid is less than six percent by weight to form the filler composition, the average size of at least one dimension of the filler material being less than two hundred nanometers upon examination by transmission electron microscopy of a representative freeze dried sample of the dispersion of the first step. A nanocomposite polymer can be prepared by mixing the filler composition with one or more polymer, polymer component, monomer or prepolymer to produce a polymer containing the filler composition.

Abstract: A method for dispersing nanotubes, comprising forming a nanocomposite solution with associated nanotubes and nanoplatelets, mixing a surfactant to the nanocomposite solution, separating the nanocomposite in solution, wherein the nanotubes remain suspended in the surfactant solution, and isolating the nanotubes in solution. In certain instances, the method further comprises functionalizing the nanotubes in solution.

Abstract: A method for preparing a filler composition useful for preparing a nanocomposite polymer is provided. The method includes a first step of dispersing a water dispersible filler material in a liquid comprising water to form a dispersion and a second step of replacing at least a portion of the water of the liquid with an organic solvent. The resulting filler composition features a water concentration of the liquid of less than six percent by weight, and the average size of at least one dimension of the filler material is less than two hundred nanometers upon examination by transmission electron microscopy of a representative freeze dried sample of the dispersion of the first step. A nanocomposite polymer, particularly and epoxy resin composition, can be prepared by mixing the above-made filler composition with one or more polymer, polymer component, monomer or prepolymer.

Abstract: A method of forming dispersed water-soluble quantum dots and tuning water-soluble quantum dot aggregate size by providing a plurality of water-soluble quantum dots in a dispersion, the plurality of water-soluble quantum dots are modified with an amphiphilic polymer, and by adding an amount of the amphiphilic polymer to the dispersion such that the ratio of the amphiphilic polymer units to quantum dots is maintained higher to obtain dispersions of smaller quantum dot aggregates and kept lower to obtain dispersions of larger quantum dot aggregates.

Abstract: A composition comprising: a) an epoxy resin; b) a hardener; and c) a stabilizer comprising a metal-containing compound, the metal-containing compound comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of Group 11-13 metals and combinations thereof, wherein the composition is prepared from a halogen-containing compound is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of dispersing nanotubes and/or nanoplatelets in a polyolefin is provided, involving A) preparing a solution comprising nanotubes or nanoplatelets or both; B) stirring the resulting solution from step (A); C) dissolving at least one polymeric material in the stirred solution from step (B) and isolating precipitates from the solution; and D) melt-blending the precipitates with at least one polyolefin, along with the nanocomposites prepared thereby, and articles formed from the nanocomposites.

Abstract: A zinc oxide polymer nanocomposite composed of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The zinc oxide nanoparticles of the nanocomposite have an average particle size of about 1 nanometer to about 20 nanometers. Suitable polymers of the nanocomposites have less than about 500 ppm alkali metal. A process is provided for preparing the zinc oxide polymer nanocomposites comprising a) preparing a first combination comprising zinc oxide nanoparticles and a polymer; b) preparing a second combination comprising the first combination and an organic solvent; and c) precipitating the zinc oxide nanoparticles and the polymer out of the second combination. The zinc oxide nanoparticles of the first combination have an average particle size of between about 1 nanometer and about 20 nanometers.

Abstract: A method for producing a nanocomposite, the nanocomposite comprises at least one nanofiller, wherein said nanofiller comprises at least one nanotube, and a medium comprising a polymeric matrix. Further, the nanotube comprises at least one exfoliated nanotube. The method comprises agglomerating at least one nanotube from a nanotube and nanoplatelet dispersion in a solvent. Additionally, the method comprises redispersing at least one nanotube in a matrix precursor solution.

Abstract: A two step method for preparing a filler composition, the filler composition useful to prepare a nanocomposite polymer. The first step is to disperse a water dispersible filler material in a liquid comprising water to form a dispersion. The second step is to replace at least a portion of the water of the liquid with an organic solvent to form the filler composition, the water concentration of the liquid of the filler composition being less than six percent by weight, the average size of at least one dimension of the filler material being less than two hundred nanometers upon examination by transmission electron microscopy of a representative freeze dried sample of the dispersion of the first step.

Abstract: A method of forming dispersed water-soluble quantum dots and tuning water-soluble quantum dot aggregate size by providing a plurality of water-soluble quantum dots in a dispersion, the plurality of water-soluble quantum dots are modified with an amphiphilic polymer, and by adding an amount of the amphiphilic polymer to the dispersion such that the ratio of the amphiphilic polymer units to quantum dots is maintained higher to obtain dispersions of smaller quantum dot aggregates and kept lower to obtain dispersions of larger quantum dot aggregates.

Abstract: A dispersible nanocomposite comprising nanotubes associated with nanoplatelets. A method for creating an exfoliated nanotubes solution, aligning nanotubes and depositing them on a substrate or in matrix. In one embodiment, the method includes a nanocomposite of at least one nanotube electrostatically associated with at least one nanoplatelet. The nanoplatelets may be removed from the suspension by altering the ionic strength to create an exfoliated nanotube solution. The exfoliated nanotube solution for injection into microchannel templates and aligned deposition.

Abstract: Nanocomposites and method of making same are provided using nanoplatelets. A nanocomposite is provided, and the nanocomposite includes nanoparticles, inorganic platelets, and a polymer material. A method is provided for dispersing nanoparticles into a polymeric material by using inorganic nanoplatelets.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel sol-gel methods in which metal oxide precursor and an alcohol-based solution are mixed to form a reaction mixture that is then allowed to react to produce nanosized metal oxide particles. The methods of the present invention are more suitable for preparing nanosized metal oxide than are previously-described sol-gel methods. The present invention can provide for nanosized metal oxide particles more efficiently than the previously-described sol-gel methods by permitting higher concentrations of metal oxide precursor to be employed in the reaction mixture. The foregoing is provided by careful control of the pH conditions during synthesis and by ensuring that the pH is maintained at a value of about 7 or higher.

Abstract: A zinc oxide polymer nanocomposite composed of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The zinc oxide nanoparticles of the nanocomposite have an average particle size of about 1 nanometer to about 20 nanometers. Suitable polymers of the nanocomposites have less than about 500 ppm alkali metal. A process is provided for preparing the zinc oxide polymer nanocomposites comprising a) preparing a first combination comprising zinc oxide nanoparticles and a polymer; b) preparing a second combination comprising the first combination and an organic solvent; and c) precipitating the zinc oxide nanoparticles and the polymer out of the second combination. The zinc oxide nanoparticles of the first combination have an average particle size of between about 1 nanometer and about 20 nanometers.

Abstract: A composition and method of making a stabilizer for polymers. The composition has zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles dispersed and having an average size of no more than about 15 nanometers, wherein the ZnO nanoparticles are provided as an additive to a polymeric material, thereby forming a stabilized polymer composite in which the ZnO nanoparticles remain dispersed and have an average size of no more than about 15 nanometers. The stabilized polymer composite is stabilized against heat and ultraviolet light. The polymeric material can be a (meth)acrylic resin, a styrenic resin, a pre-cure epoxy resin, or combinations thereof. In a concentrated form, the composition has ZnO nanoparticles that are typically less than 20% of the stabilized polymer composite. The stabilizer is polymerizable and may include additional additives.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel sol-gel methods in which metal oxide precursor and an alcohol-based solution are mixed to form a reaction mixture that is then allowed to react to produce nanosized metal oxide particles. The methods of the present invention are more suitable for preparing nanosized metal oxide than are previously-described sol-gel methods. The present invention can provide for nanosized metal oxide particles more efficiently than the previously-described sol-gel methods by permitting higher concentrations of metal oxide precursor to be employed in the reaction mixture. The foregoing is provided by careful control of the pH conditions during synthesis and by ensuring that the pH is maintained at a value of about 7 or higher.