Claims:1. A hydrophobic formulation for producing nanoparticle-based polymer composite films, consisting of:
a substrate with in situ production and aerosol deposition of nanoparticles onto the substrate for the formation of a Nano-particle film on the second substrate;
a support layer directly or indirectly deposited on the substrate's surface; and a membrane layer supported by the support layer, wherein the membrane layer consisting of a water insoluble polymer having dispersed therein inorganic nanoparticles modified on their surface with a monolayer of a silane.
2. The hydrophobic formulation claimed in claim 1, wherein the aerosol deposition of Al2O3 nanoparticles and TMA/water vapour phase infiltration are conducted in a hot wall reactor at a constant temperature of 120°C and an operating pressure of w1 Torr
3. The hydrophobic formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Ultra-high purity argon used in the aerosol deposition of nanoparticles is further purified by an inert gas filter before entering the reactor.
4. The hydrophobic formulation claimed in claim 1, in which nanoparticle aerosol deposition is selectively dispersed into the core/sheath bi-component polymer by controlling vapour exposure times and conditions during atomic layer deposition.
5. The hydrophobic formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane layer is applied directly on the support layer by using the hardening treatment, the support layer is selectively removed to create at least one cavity over which the membrane has a hanging membrane portion.
6. The hydrophobic formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises trimethyl cellulose acetate and cellulose acetate butyrate.
7. The hydrophobic formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles have an average particle size of between 1 and 200 nanometers.
8. A method for making a hydrophobic formulation for making nanoparticle-based polymer composite films that includes the following steps:
a substrate with in situ nanoparticle synthesis and aerosol deposition of nanoparticles onto the substrate for the formation of a nanoparticle film on the second substrate;
providing a support layer deposited directly or indirectly on the substrate's surface; and
a membrane layer supported by the support layer, the membrane layer consisting of a water insoluble polymer with inorganic nanoparticles distributed therein and modified on their surface with a monolayer of a silane; and
In a hot wall reactor, the aerosol deposition of Al2O3 nanoparticles and TMA/water vapour phase infiltration are carried out at a constant temperature of 120°C and an operating pressure of w1 Torr.
, Description:[001] The present invention relates to methods for the generation of nanoparticle composite polymer films and films made using such a method as well as to uses thereof. The invention more particularly relates to a hydrophobic formulation for providing nanoparticle-based polymer composite films.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Researchers are very interested in nano-composite polymer materials because of the amazing characteristics that may be induced into the resulting material. Briefly, a composite is a combination of a matrix material and a filler material. The matrix material may be polymer, metal, or glass, for example. The filler material is added to improve or reveal a certain property of the matrix material. Luminescence, an increase in Young's modulus, magnetic behaviour, and thermal stability are examples of such characteristics. Polymer composites, in particular, are stimulating new research. The polymer is the matrix material in this case. On the one hand, the strong interest stems from polymer characteristics such as ductility, weight, and simplicity of manufacture. Furthermore, the vast range of fillers and their ability to alter certain material characteristics offers up a whole range of potential applications.
[003] A hydrophobic polymer nanocomposite outperforms a polymer or macrocomposite composed of the same components. In general, the higher the specific surface area, the greater the accessible particle-polymer interaction area. As the trend toward miniaturisation continues, the researchers ensure that the materials utilized display an uniform hydrophobic characteristic throughout the whole nano-scale structure.
[004] The prior art comprises various types of nano-composite matrix structure, however still, there remains a major challenge in the production of hydrophobic polymer nanocomposites. As aforesaid the ideal case has a single homogeneous property set over the whole Nanomaterial. Because the nanoparticles tend to agglomerate the resulting composite reveals unwanted particle islands.
[005] The present invention is a composition and method for producing hydrophobic formulation for delivering nanoparticle-based polymer composite films, which has various advantages, such as combining the desired properties of the hydrophobic polymer with the functionality of the filler. As a result, a better formulation and approach to fulfill the aforementioned requirements would be helpful and desired, thus overcoming the aforementioned issue and deficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[006] Given the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art's known types of synthesis techniques and methods for nanoparticle-based polymer composite films, the present invention provides a hydrophobic formulation for producing nanoparticle-based polymer composite films that has all of the prior art's advantages and none of the drawbacks.
[007] The present invention is provided with drawn to a substrate provided with in situ production and aerosol deposition of nanoparticles onto the substrate for the formation of a Nano-particle film on the second substrate; a support layer directly or indirectly deposited on a surface of the substrate; and a membrane layer supported by the support layer, wherein the membrane layer consisting of a water insoluble polymer having dispersed therein inorganic nanoparticles modified on their surface with a monolayer of a silane.
[008] One of the most important features of the current invention is the development of an antimicrobial composition for sanitising treatments, which may substantially decrease contamination if the surface is precoated with germ-free antimicrobial compositions. The presence of residual food pollutants and/or mineral deposits further inhibits germ-freeing and bacteria-freeing treatments from functioning as material barriers; microorganisms present inside the organic or inorganic layer protect against the microbicide.
[009] It is further preferred that the prepared composition according to the invention, and a method for preparing a hydrophobic formulation for providing nanoparticle-based polymer composite films, comprising the steps of, but not limited to: providing, a substrate provided with in situ production and aerosol deposition of nanoparticles onto the substrate for the formation of a Nano-particle film on the second substrate; providing, a support layer directly or indirectly deposited on a surface of the substrate; and providing, a membrane layer supported by the support layer, wherein the membrane layer consisting of a water insoluble polymer having dispersed therein inorganic nanoparticles modified on their surface with a monolayer of a silane; and providing, the aerosol deposition of nanoparticles of Al2O3 and TMA/water vapor phase infiltration are performed at constant temperature of 120oC at an operating pressure of w1 Torr in a hot wall reactor.
[010] In this respect, before explaining at least one object of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of set of rules and to the arrangements of the various models set forth in the following description or illustrated in the working examples. The invention is capable of other objects and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, according to the need of that industry. It should also be noted that the phraseology and language used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.
[011] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the disclosure. Refer to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated for a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[012] While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and as used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one” and the word “plurality” means “one or more” unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or are common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
[013] In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element or group of elements with transitional phrases “consisting of”, “consisting”, “selected from the group of consisting of, “including”, or “is” preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.
[014] The present invention discloses a hydrophobic formulation for providing nanoparticle-based polymer composite films. The hydrophobic formulation is comprised of, but not limited to, a substrate provided with in situ production and aerosol deposition of nanoparticles onto the substrate for the formation of a Nano-particle film on the second substrate; a support layer directly or indirectly deposited on a surface of the substrate; and a membrane layer supported by the support layer, wherein the membrane layer consisting of a water insoluble polymer having dispersed therein inorganic nanoparticles modified on their surface with a monolayer of a silane.
[015] Fig. 1, which shows, scanning electron microscope images collected from hydrophobic formulation for providing nanoparticle-based polymer composite films (a) and (b) are from untreated PLA/PP and PP/PLA based nanoparticle-based polymer composite films core/sheath fibers, respectively. Image (c) shows coated PLA/PP core/sheath fibers after 100 short ALD cycles, and the morphology is indistinguishable from the untreated fibers image (d) is collected from the membrane layer is applied directly on the support layer by using the hardening treatment, the support layer is selectively removed for forming at least one cavity over which the membrane has a hanging membrane portion after treatment.
[016] FIG. 2, which shows in-situ FTIR spectra collected during the prepared hydrophobic formulation for providing nanoparticle-based polymer composite films. Panel (a) shows the IR spectra collected from Hydrophobic invented formulation, and (b) shows corresponding results from Hydrophilic Formulation with conventional composite films.
Best mode & enablement of the present invention to enable person ordinary skilled in the art
[017] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for preparing a hydrophobic formulation for providing nanoparticle-based polymer composite films, comprising the steps of, but not limited to: providing, a substrate provided with in situ production and aerosol deposition of nanoparticles onto the substrate for the formation of a Nano-particle film on the second substrate; providing, a support layer directly or indirectly deposited on a surface of the substrate; and providing, a membrane layer supported by the support layer, wherein the membrane layer consisting of a water insoluble polymer having dispersed therein inorganic nanoparticles modified on their surface with a monolayer of a silane; and providing, the aerosol deposition of nanoparticles of Al2O3 and TMA/water vapor phase infiltration are performed at constant temperature of 120oC at an operating pressure of w1 Torr in a hot wall reactor.
[018] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method is further comprising the steps of, but not limited to, providing, the Ultra-high purity argon used in the aerosol deposition of nanoparticles is further purified by an inert gas filter before entering the reactor.
[019] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method is further comprising the steps of, but not limited to, providing, the aerosol deposition of nanoparticles is selectively distributed into core/sheath bi-component polymer by controlling vapor exposure times and conditions during atomic layer deposition.
[020] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method is further comprising the steps of, but not limited to, providing, the membrane layer is applied directly on the support layer by using the hardening treatment, the support layer is selectively removed for forming at least one cavity over which the membrane has a hanging membrane portion.
[021] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method is further comprising the steps of, but not limited to, providing, a substrate comprises trimethyl cellulose acetate and cellulose acetate butyrate.
[022] According to another aspect of the present invention, the process includes, but is not limited to, ensuring that the nanoparticles have an average particle size of between 1 and 200 nanometers.
[023] The aforementioned characteristics make the present invention unique and creative in order to achieve reliability and performance while addressing the limitations of pre-existing processes and techniques. It should be noted that the above description is meant to be illustrative rather than limiting. The aforementioned embodiments, for example, may be utilised in combination with one another. Many additional embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art after reviewing the above discussion.
[024] The above examples are just a few of the many potential parameters and lab conditions that may be created using the fundamental components, and it should be noted that the recital of these compositions is not meant to restrict the scope of this invention in any manner.
[025] The benefits and advantages that the present invention may offer have been discussed above in terms of particular embodiments. These benefits and advantages, as well as any components or restrictions that may cause them to arise or become more apparent, should not be interpreted as critical, required, or essential features of any or all embodiments.
[026] While the present invention has been discussed with reference to certain embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are only illustrative and that the invention's scope is not limited to these implementations. There are many changes, adjustments, additions, and enhancements that may be made to the embodiments described above. These changes, alterations, additions, and enhancements are considered to be within the scope of the invention.