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

Starost, Kristof; Frijns, Evelien; Van Laer, Jo; Faisal, Nadimul; Egizabal, Ainhoa; Elizetxea, Cristina; Nelissen, Inge; Bl�zquez, Mar�a; Njuguna, James

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 20–100nm). 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.

Citation

STAROST, K., FRIJNS, E., VAN LAER, J., FAISAL, N., EGIZABAL, A., ELIZEXTEA, C., NEILSSEN, I., BALZQUEZ, M. and NJUGUNA, J. 2017. The effect of nanosilica (SiO2) and nanoalumina (Al2O3) reinforced polyester nanocomposites on aerosol nanoparticle emissions into the environment during automated drilling. Aerosol science and technology [online], 51(9), pages 1035-1046. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2017.1330535

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 1, 2017
• Online Publication Date: May 26, 2017
• Publication Date: Sep 30, 2017
• Deposit Date: May 18, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: May 27, 2018
• Journal: Aerosol science and technology
• Print ISSN: 0278-6826
• Electronic ISSN: 1521-7388
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 51
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 1035-1046
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2017.1330535
• Keywords: Nanosilica; Nanoalumina; Nanoparticle; Nanocomposites
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2317
• Contract Date: May 18, 2017