Scalable and Inexpensive Production of Polymer-Metal Nanocomposite by Thermal Drawing

UC Case 2016-864

SUMMARY:

UCLA researchers have developed a fabrication process for uniformly distributing metallic nanoparticles within polymer fibers.

BACKGROUND: 

Polymers embedded with metallic nanoparticles (polymer-metal nanocomposites) have unique physicochemical properties and have been used as electrically conducting polymers for transparent electrodes, for electromagnetic interface shielding and electrostatic dissipation, as an electromagnetic wave absorbers for solar cells, and as antimicrobial polymers. However, polymer-metal nanocomposite fabrication is costly and difficult to scale. Furthermore, the non-uniform dispersion of the metallic phase has been a long-standing challenge that can limit certain properties.

INNOVATION: 

UCLA researchers from the Department of Mechanical Engineering have developed a polymer-metal nanocomposite fabrication method that achieves a uniform dispersion of the metallic nanoparticles. The thermal drawing technique is both scalable and cost effective.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:

• Multifunctional filament for fuse deposition modeling (FDM) method
• Electromagnetic interface shielding
• Electrostatic dissipation
• Electrically and/or thermally conductive polymer fibers/thin films
• Antimicrobial/Antifungal polymers or fiber fabrics

ADVANTAGES:

• Uniform distribution of the metallic phase within the polymer matrix
• Scalable and inexpensive manufacturing processes