PROJECT SUMMARY

Epoxy resins are being used in many key applications of the automotive manufacturing industry due to their properties such as high thermal stability, mechanical strength, moisture resistivity and adhesion. Although these materials have a high performance in electronics their end-of-life disposal raised tremendous global environmental concerns. Thus, designing novel biomaterials able to overcome these disadvantages have become an important goal for the scientific community.

The proposed project aims to develop new nanocomposites, based on renewable and inexpensive biological sources, with thermo-mechanical balanced properties for applications in electronics (EPOCEL). The goal of this project will be achieved through the use of renewable resources like vegetable oils and different nanocellulose fillers. The EPOCEL nanobiocomposite materials will exhibit a tailored interface design which will assure performances comparable to those of petroleum-based but at a lower price. The project approach is based on the association of materials produced from regionally low cost agricultural feedstocks which will be employed for the development of novel materials with high – added value. Various epoxy system components and different agents for nanocellulose functionalization will be screened for achieving the desired thermal and mechanical performances. Nanocellulose will have a significant role in providing biodegradability besides controlled stiffness. The assessment of the EPOCEL model for electronics will be made after detailed analysis of physico-chemical, mechanical and thermal properties.

NOVELTY AND ORIGINALITY

The project EPOCEL brings its original contributions by developing novel nanocomposites based on renewable materials with performances comparable to those of petroleum-based intended for electronics.

OBJECTIVES

Specific objectives:

Considering the unmet and increasing demand for new biobased materials intended for electronics together with the expertise of the team in thermoset materials, CN isolation and functionalization, the following specific objectives of the project have resulted:

• Development of new bionanocomposites based on ELO and CN with improved mechanical, and thermal properties;
• Finding new innovative routes for optimization of biomaterials components;
• Demonstration of resulted biomaterials suitability for electronics applications;
• Bionanocomposite processing as models for electronics;

ESTIMATED RESULTS

Within this project we estimate the obtaining of the following results:

• New bionanocomposites with improved mechanical and thermal properties using epoxy resins obtained from renewable sources, natural eco-friendly compounds as curing agents and nanocellulose;
• Innovative routes for optimization of bionanomaterials;
• EPOCEL model;
• Patent application;
• Dissemination of scientific results through publications and participation in conferences.