NanoRelease CP Materials Selection

CARBON NANOTUBES WITHIN POLYMER MATRICES

NanoRelease Steering Committee (SC) members deliberated over a 9-month period to identify potential nanomaterials and release methods for further study. More than 20 materials were identified and grouped into 3 tiers. After conducting an extensive evaluation as well as ranking and voting on the materials, the committee narrowed the list of nanomaterials to either nano-silver (n-Ag) or (MWCNTs). Forty-five experts from academia, industry, and US and Canadian government agencies attended a May 10–11
, 2011 workshop in order to:
  • Refine the project objectives,
  • Select the material that will be used to develop methods to measure release, and
  • Select and charge experts to develop white papers that will inform the development of a state-of-the-science document and workplan for “Phase 3” methods testing, development, and proof of utility for articles in commerce.

MATERIAL SELECTION AND APPLICATIONS

After considerable discussion, the SC selected MWCNTs embedded within polymer matrices to carry forward to the next phases of the project.
With funding from the US EPA, Environment Canada, and the American Chemistry Council, over the next 9 months the project will convene expert groups to develop a state-of-the-science evaluation of material properties and measurement methods relevant to understanding the release of MWCNTs from polymers used in products in commerce.
We are selecting the specific polymer to use in methods development, in consideration of applications such as:
  • Fabrics such as flame-retardant toys and blankets;
  • Tennis racquets, bicycle frames, baseball bats, and sports safety equipment;
  • Automobile parts;
  • Boat hulls; and
  • Coaxial cable.

TASK GROUP 2 POLYMER DECISION PROCESS

Recently, Task Group 2 (Materials) went through a decision process in which experts from a variety of stakeholder groups voted to choose a set of five polymers as the most relevant to MWCNT/polymer systems at this time. Details of the process and final outcome are explained in the Task Group 2 (Materials) Polymer Decision Process.