www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
US OfficesTel : +1 781 261 9778
Fax : +1 781 261 [email protected]
Nanocyl Headquaters BelgiumTel : +32 71 750 380Fax : +32 71 750 [email protected]
CEFIC stakeholder dialogue on Nanomaterials
The use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
can improve the eco-efficiency of materials
Nanocyl , Belgium
June 24, 2008
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Short presentation of Nanocyl
• Medium size Belgian company, spin-off of two universities: Namur and Liège
• One of the leading producer of carbon nanotubes and of master batches in Europe
• Production and research facilities in Sambreville (Belgium)
• Cooperation with various research centres in Europe
• Proactive participation in toxicological studies
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Interest of CNTs as filler in plastic materials
• Carbon nanotubes: a family of nanomaterials made up entirely of carbon.
• Structurally, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) consist of multiple layers of graphite superimposed and rolled in on themselves to form a tubular shape.
• MWCNTs are characterised by – very high mechanical strength: 5 times lighter than steel and
20 to 100 times stronger depending on the occurrence of defects in the structure,
– very good electrical conductivity, as conductive as copper – very good thermal conductivity: same as that of diamond and
more than twice that of copper.
• They can be easily dispersed in plastic materials
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Examples of improved properties (1)
• Conductive compoundsCNT technology allow to prepare conductive compounds with a loading less than 2-3 % resulting in a weight reduction of 5-15 % compared to other conductive fillers for comparable performance
Electrical conductivity vs. Carbon loading
1,E-18
1,E-16
1,E-14
1,E-12
1,E-10
1,E-08
1,E-06
1,E-04
1,E-02
1,E+00
1,E+02
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15Carbon loading, wt %
Nanocyl 7000
Standard Carbon Black
Highly conductive Carbon Black
Co
nd
uc
tiv
ity
, S/m
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Examples of improved properties (2)
• Mechanical
CNT allow the production of thinner parts with the same mechanical/conductivity balance than other fillers.
This results in a weight reduction of ca. 10-20 %
Influence of the additive on Impact strength
Conductive PC compounds designed with Rv < 103 Ohm.cm
0
5
10
15
20
MWNT CF CB
Not
ched
Cha
rpy
(kJ/
m2)
Influence of the additive on elongontation at break,
Conductive PC compounds designed with Rv < 103 Ohm.cm
0
5
10
15
20
MWNT CF CB
Elo
ng
atio
n @
bre
ak (
%)
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Examples of application: weight reduction
• Application in the automotive industry – CNT technology, through displacement of existing technology
due to better mechanical properties, can result in a reduction of 10-30 kg per car.
– As a reduction of weight of 100kg results in a reduction of fuel consumption of 0.5L/100km. (Resource National Canada and Gent Univ.), a world wide application of CNT technology could lead to a global reduction of about 1MT of fuel consumption.
• Application in aircraft industry– CNT technology can allow 10-15 wt% weight reduction at
equal mechanical performances– This would lead to a kerosene saving of 0.7-1.5 m³/plane/flight
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Examples of application: fire protection
• CNT can be used as non halogenated flame retardant– Improvement of thermal stability: about 100°C for polyethylene in a
classical test
– With a lower filler content: from 40-60 % to 20-30 %
– With a weight reduction of : 5-25 %
– With less thread to the environment
• CNT can improve thermal protection coating– Protection of metal and other substrate by a thin layer of plastic
material containing less than 1wt% of additive, instead of commercial solutions containing 40 % of additive
– This leads to weight reduction in insulation.
– In aircraft tankers for example: reduction of 2-5 kg per tanker with the consecutive reduction of kerosene consumption.
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Examples of application: anti-fouling
Anti fouling is saving 120 million tons of fuel per yearTo avoid adverse effects in the environment, new non-biocidal
antifouling technologies are needed
0
0,05
0,1
0,15
0,2
0,25
0,3
T2 Unfilled PDMS 0.05 % CNTs
forc
e pe
r un
it ar
ea (N
.mm
- 2)
« theoretical lower adhesion limit »
Adhesion strength of young adult barnacles
T2 unfilled resin CNT based resin
• Much lower Much lower adhesion strengthadhesion strength
• No more trace of No more trace of basal plate basal plate remaining attached remaining attached to the surfaceto the surface
Biological evaluation of CNT based resin
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Benefits: summary• In all these examples the use of CNT
provides the following benefits:– less resources needed due to better efficiency,
weight reduction and waste reduction
– less energy consumption leading to less CO2 emission
– better eco-efficiency: in fire protection and anti-fouling
– longer life cycle by improvement of ageing resistance
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Hazard assessment of CNTs• Toxicology studies carried out by
Nanocyl according to OECD protocols:
– No acute dermal toxicity: no local irritation, no sensitization (Namur university, Straticell, JRC-Ispra)
– No in vitro mutagenicity (Ames test)– No in vitro cytotoxicity (JRC –Ispra)– In vivo inhalation studies going on (OECD
413 (90 days) :GLP study at BASF)
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
European cooperation in HSE
• Nanocyl is involved in several EU projects dealing with HSE issues
• Nanocyl is member of the PACTE sector group within CEFIC, in which the European carbon nanotubes producers are sharing HSE information, developing research projects and reviewing the safest ways of handling CNTS at production site and along the user chain (code of conduct)
• Nanocyl: a SME well active in risk research
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Exposure assessment of CNTs (1)
Only a small fraction of CNTs is inhalable
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Exposure assessment of CNTs (2)Difficulties in measuring particle size distribution in the nano range: cooperation with Naneum to develop detection devices.
Example of particle size distribution of an artificially produced aerosol
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Exposure assessment of CNTs (3)
Minimising workers exposure– Production in closed process– Protective equipment and ventilation to
reduce possible exposure– MSDS and Code of conduct provided to
customers
No direct environmental exposure– Closed process– Nanotubes embedded in polymer matrices
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Prospective
• Use of the results of EU research projects on toxicity of nanomaterials
• Definition of an OEL for workers?• Measure of concentration and particle size
distribution in air and comparison to background in production, research and development.
• Registration under REACH• Willingness to be transparent: LCA and risk
benefits analysis
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Thank you for your attention
Question time
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Differences: CNT vs. asbestosCarbon nanotubes
Nanoscale and low rigidity
Spaghetti like agglomerates
Asbestos
Micro scale and high rigidity
Bundle like agglomerates
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Differences: CNT vs. asbestos
• According to Donaldson
“Short or curly carbon nanotubes did not behave like asbestos, and by knowing the possible dangers of long, thin carbon nanotubes, we can work to control them. It’s a good news story, not a bad one. It shows that carbon nanotubes and their products could be made to be safe.”
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Examples of improved properties (3)• Longer life product improved life cycle
Ageing Photo-oxidation
0
0,1
0,2
0,3
0,4
0,5
0,6
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Time (h)
conc
entr
atio
n of
car
bony
l gro
ups
(mol
/l)
0,1% with PE coating
1% with PE coating
0,1% without coating
1% without coating
(a)
0 100 200 300 4000,00
0,01
0,02
0,03
0,04
0,05
0,06
0,07PEPE + MWNT
U.A
.
Time (h)
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
•Thermal barrier coating ThermoCyl
•ISO 2685/ 1100°C / 116±10 kW/m2
•This document is the property of NANOCYL SA
Examples of application: fire protection (2)
www.nanocyl.comIndustry leader in carbon nanotubes-01|07www.nanocyl.com
Interest of CNT in plastic processing • Through their action on the viscosity, CNT can
improve by a factor of 5 the productivity in extrusion of thermoplastic polyurethane
• In injection moulding, the use of CNT can reduce the distortion of injected parts and then reduce industrial waste during the processing and in particular during the development phase.
Top Related