Technology evolves as the world evolves. With it is the Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) moving along and developing technologies, one of which is nanoclay from locally sourced bentonite ores.
The Materials Science Division of the DOST-ITDI took advantage of the abundance of ore in the country, explored its potential, and developed nanoclay from bentonite ore that can be used as an additive in polymer nanocomposite systems.
Nanocomposites are materials that incorporate nanosized particles into a medium of standard material.
As a result of the addition of nanoparticles, the drastic improvement in properties happens that may include increased mechanical strength, toughness, and electrical or thermal conductivity. These nanocomposites can be used in various industrial applications such as automotive, construction, electronics, and packaging industry.
Some of the products derived from nanoclay are biodegradable nanocomposite films for green packaging (food packaging and cutleries); halloysite nanoclay-filled epoxy molding compound for integrated circuit packaging; recycled polycarbonate-layered silicate nanocomposites (PLSN); local bioactive polymer nanofibrous scaffold for tissue engineering; and nanostructures fibrous membrane for wastewater treatment.
Other possible applications of these clay-based polymer nanocomposites are in the biomedical and biotechnological fields such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, biosensors, and biomedical devices. Further investigation and research study are in the offing.
The ITDI Nanoclay technology is now ready for transfer to interested parties. For more information on how to adopt the technology, you may contact Dr. Blessie A. Basilia, Chief, Material Science Division, at telephone no. 8837-2071 to 82 local 2201 or Email address: msd@itdi.dost.gov.ph. (\\DDGotis, DOST-ITDI S&T Media Service)
