New method to write nanocomposites

2010-03-10
Newsfeed

US scientists say they have devised a new generic technique to deposit various kinds of nanocomposites on multiple surfaces.

---

US scientists say they have devised a new generic technique to deposit various kinds of nanocomposites on multiple surfaces.

Composites of nanoparticles and polymers have many advanced properties, which researchers have been trying to exploit by combining the materials.

But making usable structures from the nanocomposites has been a challenge because each would require a specific set of solvents or surface coating.

Now experts from Waswhington-based Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign have developed a way to directly write highly complex structures.

It involves coating a polymer-nanocomposite blend on to a probe which, when heated, functions as a miniature soldering iron to deposit the material with nanoscale precision.

Although the nanoparticles are usually dispersed throughout, the researchers found they could be aligned into thin rows by adjusting the chemistry.

Paul Sheehan, head of the Surface Nanoscience and Sensor Technology Section at NRL, said: "This technique greatly simplifies nanocomposite deposition."

The technique was used to deposit conducting metal nanoparticles, tiny magnetic nanoparticles as well as nanoparticles that glowed.

Writing in the journal Nano Letters, the scientists said it also solves a common problem which occurs when depositing soft materials like polymers and nanocomposites: that solvents and patterning procedures used can often damage any soft material already deposited.

Copyright © Press Association 2010