Made to measure: Easy Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocomposites with Tailored Functionalities for Chemistry Education

Reza Saadat^1, , Björn Bartram^2, and Timm Wilke^2,

¹Institute for Particle Technology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany

²Institute of Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry, Department of Chemistry Education, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany

Cite this paper

Reza Saadat, Björn Bartram and Timm Wilke. Made to measure: Easy Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocomposites with Tailored Functionalities for Chemistry Education. World Journal of Chemical Education. 2019; 7(2):65-71. doi: 10.12691/WJCE-7-2-5

Abstract

By adding nanoparticles to classical polymer systems, new functional materials with tailored properties can be obtained. The great variety of possibilities opens up just as many interesting fields of application for industry and science. Following on from this, this article will present how the classical educational subject area of polymers can be extended by a current research context. In a series of experiments, students are using inexpensive chemicals and simple materials from the hardware store to produce nanocomposites that have a much greater hardness or antimicrobial activity than polymers alone. Their properties can then be investigated using a simple test method. Overall, it will be illustrated, that the combination of polymer chemistry and nanotechnology offers a variety of learning opportunities and questions with curricular relevance for schools and student laboratories.

Keywords

nanocomposite materials, nanotechnology, polymers, school chemistry education

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References

[1]	Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., Law, K. L. (2017). Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Science advances 3/7, e1700782.
[2]	Huntemann, H., Vennemann, Hendrik, Parchmann, Ilka (2000). Ein Auto ohne Kunststoffe? Eine Unterrichtseinheit aus der Konzeption Chemie im Kontext. Praxis der Naturwissenschaften – Chemie 49/4, 19ff.
[3]	Sangermano, M., Messori, M. (2010). Scratch Resistance Enhancement of Polymer Coatings. Macromol. Mater. Eng. 295/7, 603-612.
[4]	Saadat, R., Kockmann, A., Garnweitner, G. (2017). Tailored Surface Modification of Nanoparticles for Nanocomposites with Optimized Mechanical Properties. Paris.
[5]	Kockmann, A., Porsiel, J. C., Saadat, R., Garnweitner, G. (2018). Impact of nanoparticle surface modification on the mechanical properties of polystyrene-based nanocomposites. RSC Advances 8/20, 11109-11118.
[6]	Piccinno, F., Gottschalk, F., Seeger, S., Nowack, B. (2012). Industrial production quantities and uses of ten engineered nanomaterials in Europe and the world. J Nanopart Res 14/9, 300.
[7]	Block, S. S. (1983). Disinfection, sterilization, and preservation, 3. Ed. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia Pa.
[8]	Slawson, R. M., Lee, H., Trevors, J. T. (1990). Bacterial interactions with silver. Biol Metals 3/3-4, 151-154.
[9]	Elias, H.-G. (2000). Plastics, General Survey.
[10]	Junevičius, J., Žilinskas, J., Česaitis, K., Česaitienė, G., Gleiznys, D., Maželienė, Ž. (2015). Antimicrobial activity of silver and gold in toothpastes: A comparative analysis. Stomatologija 17/1, 9-12.
[11]	Kröger, S., Hock, K., Tausch, M., Anton, M., Bader, A., Zdzieblo, J. (2017). CHEM2DO-Schulversuchskoffer - ein Kooperationsprojekt von Wirtschaft, Fachdidaktik und Lehrerfortbildungszentren. CHEMKON 24/4, 241-245.
[12]	Banerji, A., Tausch, M. W., Scherf, U. (2012). Fantastic Plastic. CHEMKON 19/1, 7-12.
[13]	Stäudel, L., Schmidkunz, H., Rau, T. (2010). Von linear bis hochvernetzt - Struktur-Eigenschafts-Beziehungen am Beispiel Kunststoffe. Unterricht Chemie 21/115, 38-42.
[14]	Bader, H.-J., Sgoff, D. (2007). Schulversuche zu faserverstärkten Kunststoffen. Praxis der Naturwissenschaften – Chemie 56/7, 19-23.
[15]	Huntemann, H., Parchmann, I. (2000). Biologisch abbaubare Kunststoffe Einordnung in ein neues Konzept für den Chemieunterricht. CHEMKON 7/1, 15-21.
[16]	Bartram, B., Wilke, T. (2018). Aus der Forschung in die Schule - Gestaltung einer lernortübergreifenden Summer School zum Thema Nanotechnologie durch Fachdidaktische Transferforschung. In: Theorie und Praxis im Spannungsverhältnis. Beiträge für die Unterrichtsentwicklung, 1. Ed. Fereidooni, K., Hein, K., Kraus, K. (Eds.). Waxmann, Münster, 67-82.
[17]	Duit, R., Gropengießer, H., Kattmann, U., Komorek, M., Parchmann, I. (2012). The Model of Educational Reconstruction – a Framework for Improving Teaching and Learning Science1. In: Science Education Research and Practice in Europe. Retrospective and Prospective. Jorde, D., Dillon, J. (Hrsg.). Sense Publishers, Rotterdam, 13-37.
[18]	Sommer, K., Krupp, U., Toschka, C., Schröder, T. P. (2017). Für Lernprozesse modelliert. Physikalisch-chemische Prüfverfahren der Industrie an den Beispielen Klebefestigkeit, Viskosität und Waschleistung. CHEMKON 24/4, 227-232.
[19]	Wang, H., Qiao, X., Chen, J., Ding, S. (2005). Preparation of silver nanoparticles by chemical reduction method. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 256/2-3, 111-115.
[20]	Kittler, S., Greulich, C., Gebauer, J. S., Diendorf, J., Treuel, L., Ruiz, L., Gonzalez-Calbet, J. M., Vallet-Regi, M., Zellner, R., Köller, M., Epple, M. (2010). The influence of proteins on the dispersability and cell-biological activity of silver nanoparticles. J. Mater. Chem. 20/3, 512–518.
[21]	Dege, J., Haffer, S., Waitz, T. (2016). Sind Nanopartikel schädlich für Mikroorganismen? Experimente zur Toxizität von Nanopartikeln im Chemieunterricht. Unterricht Chemie 2, 28-33.
[22]	Kędziora, A., Speruda, M., Krzyżewska, E., Rybka, J., Łukowiak, A., Bugla-Płoskońska, G. (2018). Similarities and Differences between Silver Ions and Silver in Nanoforms as Antibacterial Agents. International journal of molecular sciences 19/2.