From the plastic bottle you drink from to the synthetic fibres in your clothes, polymers are an integral part of our daily lives. But what exactly are they, where are they used, and what benefits do they offer? Let’s dive in!
A Primer on Polymers
Polymers, derived from the Greek words ‘poly’ (many) and ‘meros’ (part), are large molecules made up of repeating subunits called monomers. Imagine a string of paperclips linked together, and you’ll get a rough idea of what a polymer looks like at a molecular level.
Polymers can be naturally occurring, like cellulose in plants or proteins in our bodies. Or they can be synthetic, like the plastics and resins we manufacture.
Polymers in Action
Polymers find applications in a dizzyingly wide array of areas:
- Packaging: The most well-known use of synthetic polymers is in packaging. From bottles and food containers to bubble wrap and cling film, polymers are indispensable in this sector.
- Textiles: Synthetic fibres such as nylon, polyester, and acrylic are all polymers. They’re used to make everything from clothing and upholstery to carpets and industrial fabrics.
- Medicine: Polymers have an important role in the medical field. They’re used in surgical sutures, implants, and coatings for pills. Plus, they’re integral to cutting-edge applications like drug delivery systems and tissue engineering.
- Electronics: Polymers, especially conductive ones, are used in a variety of electronic devices, including TVs, smartphones, and solar cells.
- Automotive and Aerospace: Strong, lightweight polymers are used in the manufacture of components for cars and aircraft, helping to improve fuel efficiency.
The Many Benefits of Polymers
Polymers offer a wealth of benefits, depending on their properties:
- Versatility: The variety of polymers available, each with its unique properties, makes them incredibly versatile. Depending on the type, they can be flexible or rigid, resistant to heat or cold, waterproof, or breathable.
- Durability: Many polymers are resistant to chemicals, wear and tear, and environmental conditions, making them long-lasting.
- Lightweight: Polymers are generally lighter than materials like metal or glass, which can result in cost and energy savings during transportation.
- Cost-effective: Polymers, especially synthetic ones, can be cheaper and easier to produce than many other materials.
In conclusion, polymers, with their versatility, durability, lightweight, and cost-effectiveness, are indeed the building blocks of modern life. While their environmental impact is a significant concern that needs to be addressed, their benefits and ubiquity make them a vital part of our world.
Carbon Nanotubes and Polymers
At a fundamental level, carbon nanotubes are cylindrical structures made from one or more layers of graphene. This gives them exceptional properties, such as high strength, lightweight, and excellent electrical and thermal conductivity which makes them excellent products. Polymers, on the other hand, are large, chain-like molecules that can be flexible or rigid, lightweight, and mouldable.
When you combine these two materials, you get a composite that offers the best of both worlds. CNTs can improve the mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability of polymers. At the same time, polymers provide a matrix that can hold and disperse CNTs, and they can be moulded into various forms, from fibres to films to bulk materials.
Potential Applications of CNT-Polymer Composites
The synergy of carbon nanotubes and polymers has opened up a wide array of potential applications:
- Electronics and Conductive Coatings: The improved electrical conductivity of CNT-polymer composites makes them ideal for use in electronics. They can be used in electromagnetic shielding, anti-static packaging, and conductive coatings.
- Advanced Materials: The enhanced strength and light weight of these composites can be leveraged in advanced materials for aerospace, automotive, and sporting goods applications. For example, they can be used in body panels for cars or the fuselage of aircraft to make them lighter yet stronger.
- Sensors: CNT-polymer composites also hold promise in the field of sensors. They can be used to create pressure, strain, or gas sensors with improved sensitivity and responsiveness.
- Energy Storage: These composites can enhance the performance of energy storage devices. They can provide higher capacity and faster charge/discharge rates in batteries and supercapacitors.
- Medicine: In the medical field, they can serve in drug delivery systems, where the CNTs can carry and release drugs, and the polymer matrix can control the rate of release.
