Development of matrix bonding and dispersion optimized conductive nanocomposites for the two-photon polymerization

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Cemal Esen; Dr.-Ing. Ulrike Staudinger; Professorin Dr. Brigitte Voit, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: from 2015 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 281079141

Aim of the proposed project is the development of electrically conductive nanocomposites for the two-photon polymerization (2PP). The intention is to adapt materials to the photonic processing, which has not been done so far with the necessary breadth and depth. The planned project intends the development of conductive resins and their microstructuring via 2PP. The conductivity will be achieved by compounding of the resins with single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), which have a high electrical conductivity. For that it is necessary to produce a homogeneous dispersion of the SWCNTs in the matrix, to avoid local absorption peaks during the 2PP process. The SWCNTs will be dispersed in the matrix via an ultrasonic treatment. By variation of the SWCNT content in the matrix the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites will be adjusted. In addition the influence of a chemical functionalization of the SWCNTs on the SWCNT dispersion and on the photopolymerization of the resin will be investigated. The limits of the structurable concentrations and therewith the achievable conductivity values will be determined. By varying of the laser performance and scan speed in the 2PP process it is aimed to find out optimized parameters for conductive microstructures. Possible application fields of these structures are the use as microelectronic components or micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) in sensors.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants