March 31, 2006

Mackay’s Research Spawns Next Generation of Polymers

Faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, he’s the man of ….plastic? Thanks to the work of chemical engineering and materials science professor, Michael Mackay, and his graduate student, Anish Tuteja, the way we think of plastics may change forever. The researcher has discovered two rules for dispersing nanoparticles in polymers that has revolutionized nanotechnology in this field and earned his research a coveted place in the March 24 issue of Science.

According to Mackay, the ability to evenly distribute nanoparticles in plastics eluded investigators in the polymers field until he and his group—including Phillip Duxbury, MSU professor of physics and astronomy—discovered two general rules that make it possible to disperse nanoparticles in any polymer. First, the nanoparticles must be smaller in size than the polymer molecule to prevent separation. Second, the nanoparticles must be between 5 and 20 nanometers, or they may behave more like molecules and follow different dispersion rules.

All of this means that Mackay has made it possible for materials scientists to create an entirely new generation of plastics, the applications of which are just starting to be explored. The nanoparticle-doped polymers are stronger, tougher, more heat-resistant, easier to work with, and can even be magnetic. These properties have potential research sponsors—including the U.S. Army and BASF—taking a hard look at the new technology.

Thus far, the processing implications of the material are the most exciting outcome of Mackay’s research. Molten plastic mixed with nanoparticles is thinner—or less viscous—and therefore easier to work with. “When nanoparticles and polymers are mixed by our rules, the viscosity decreases,” he says. “That means you can process materials 5 to 10 times faster—saving money and time. You get a stronger product for less money.”

Mackay continues to work on potential applications for nanoparticle-doped polymers. Some possibilities on the table include solar panels, multifunctional fibers, sensors, and even biomedical devices. “We really don’t know what this will lead to yet,” says Mackay. “We’ve just solved a major problem in nanotechnology. This will affect everyone working with plastics.”