Engine of progress

Chemical nanotechnology involves the targeted synthesis of the tiniest structures. The resulting nanoparticles with a size of just a few millionths of a metre can then be processed to produce materials with remarkable properties.

In a new, modified sol-gel process,nanoresins uses water glass – an aqueous solution of sodium silicate – to produce nanocomposites. These consist of spherical, SiO2 nanoparticles and various monomers or prepolymers. The tiny balls of SiO2, 20 nm or less in size, are distributed uniformly and free of agglomeration in the resin matrix with a very narrow size distribution.This yields in dispersions with very low viscosities, despite SiO2 contents of up to 50% of weight.

What makes this process so unique is its versatility. The nanoparticles manufactured on an industrial scale can be added to a wide variety of very different polymer materials. They increase the viscosity of the latter much less than other fillers and thus lend themselves particularly well to further processing.

Added to modern materials, they produce an unprecedented improvement in the mechanical and thermal characteristics. Moreover, the customary disadvantages of anorganic additives do not occur. For example, a material's fracture-resistance and hardness can be improved while retaining its optical clarity and toughness. Thus nanocomposites from nanoresins can be used in paints and coatings as well as in compact materials for a wide variety of applications.