Multimedia Gallery
Quantum Dot/Fluoropolymer Composites
Transparent films of Tetramer's nanocomposites, when illuminated with ultraviolet radiation. These polymeric films can hold up to 20 times more nanoparticles than conventional materials.
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Tetramer Technologies is working to develop enhanced encapsulants for optically active nanoparticles. The use of nanoparticles as active materials has well known advantages. Whether for tailored light emission through quantum confinement effects; increased environmental response through their large surface area; or simply as a means of creating bulk nanomaterials that have the optical properties of a ceramic or metal, with the processability of a polymer. To date, research has almost exclusively focused on the development of nanoparticles that can be dispersed into existing polymer systems. Tetramer is working to develop polymers that are designed to incorporate large levels of nanoparticles through careful design of the polymers molecular architecture.
Usually nanoparticles must be well dispersed in a polymer with little to no agglomeration. If agglomeration occurs then the polymer will lose transparency and its effectiveness as an optical material. Tetramer's polymer (PFCB) has been shown to disperse up to 40 wt% QDs with no agglomeration. These loading levels represent an order of magnitude increase in loading levels. The advanced nanocomposites can serve as phosphor conversion layers for white LEDs, a matrix for 3-D displays and sensor layers for advanced chemical/biological detection systems. (Date of Image: 2008)
Credit: Jeffrey R. DiMaio, Tetramer Technologies
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