The effect of nanosilica (SiO₂) and nanoalumina (Al₂O₃) reinforced polyester nanocomposites on aerosol nanoparticle emissions into the environment during automated drilling

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect nanosilica and nanoalumina has on nanoparticle release from industrial nanocomposites due to drilling for hazard reduction whilst simultaneously obtaining the necessary mechanical performance. This study is therefore specifically designed such that all background noise is eliminated in the measurements range of 0.01 particles/cm³ and ±10% at 10⁶ particles/cm³. The impact nano-sized SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ reinforced polyester has on nanoparticle aerosols generated due to drilling is investigated. Real-time measurement was conducted within a specially designed controlled test chamber using a condensation particle counter (CPC) and a scanning mobility particle sizer spectrometer (SMPS). The results show that the polyester nanocomposite samples displayed statistically significant differences and an increase in nanoparticle number concentration by up to 228% compared to virgin polyester. It is shown that the nanofillers adhered to the polyester matrix showing a higher concentration of larger particles released (between 20 – 100 nm). The increase in nanoparticle reinforcement weight concentration and resulting nanoparticle release vary considerably between the nanosilica and nanoalumina samples due to the nanofillers presence. This study indicates a future opportunity to safer by design strategy that reduces number of particles released concentration and sizes without compromising desired mechanical properties for engineered polymers and composites.

© 2017 American Association for Aerosol Research

EDITOR:

• Mark Swihart

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge K. Tirez and R. Persoons at Vito for their XRF and SEM support.

Funding

The work is funded by and part of the European Commission Life+ project named “Simulation of the release of nanomaterials from consumer products for environmental exposure assessment” (SIRENA, Pr. No. LIFE 11 ENV/ES/596). J. Njuguna is thankful to the funding by QualityNano Project through Transnational Access (TA Application VITO-TAF-382 and VITO-TAF-500) under the European Commission, Grant Agreement No: INFRA-2010-262163 for the access and use of the facilities at the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO). K. Starost is also thankful for partial funding by the School of Engineering for his studentship.