NaPoly

NAPOLY or nanocrystals in polymers is a SBO-founded research consortium combining research groups from Ghent University, KU Leuven and Flanders Make. They explore the challenges of dispersing nanoscale particles in a variety of polymer matrixes.

NaPoly aims at establishing design rules for the homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles in polymers by setting up a library of surface ligand/polymer matrix combinations that is inspired by two application cases: fast bonding/debonding-on-command of polymer-based adhesives and the formation of nanoparticle-in-resin composites with bespoke emission spectrum. 

The scientific objective of the present project is to modify the optical and magnetic properties of polymers by incorporating nanocrystals into polymers (NiP). For this purpose, a tuning of the surface chemistry of the nanocrystals and the chemical composition of the polymer matrix is pursued, an approach that is largely independent of the specific composition of the nanocrystals. The project partners aim to establish a generic library of ligand/polymer combinations that provide the homogeneous dispersion of nanocrystals at high solid-state loading.