Development and characterization of TPU/HNT nanocomposites

• Grant number: 17/07002-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2017
• End date: June 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Juliano Marini
• Grantee: Jéssica Marinho Oliveira Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Materials for biomedical applications is a frontier area of research and development in Materials Engineering. The recent development of polymer nanocomposites, aiming to optimize characteristics such as mechanical performance of implants, acting as cell growth scaffolds or even obtaining intelligent devices that react in a controlled manner to internal or external stimuli to the human body, must be highlighted. This research project proposes to develop nanocomposites based on a thermoplastic polyurethane matrix and hollow halloysite nanotubes. Both the matrix and the nanoparticle are biocompatible and bio-stable materials, which makes them excellent candidates for biomedical use. The dispersion and distribution of nanoparticles in highly elastic matrices in the molten state is a difficult task and in order to obtain an efficient dispersion of the nanoparticle in the polymer, different mixing protocols will be analyzed. The optimum content of the reinforcing filler will also be determined. The methodology of the project is based on the characterization of the thermal, rheological and mechanical behavior of the obtained nanocomposites. The results will be evaluated and correlated in terms of structure, properties and processing. (AU)