Applications

Textile and Packaging

TEXTILE AND PACKAGING

New approaches using nanotechnology-based thin films and coatings can be applied to design nanostructured systems with significantly optimized properties using plastics or textiles.

Textile

The possibility of merging traditional inorganic materials processing with organic fibrous textiles is creating new possibilities in electrical, optical and mechanical applications for textiles. Natural or synthetic fibres have unique flexibility, strength and durability with a large accessible surface area and by modifying this surface one could extend its range of applications. These treatments could increase/decrease their capabilities of adhesion, wear resistance, biocompatibility, chemical stability, electrical conduction…

While MLD is a strategy for bottom-up growth of polymer films and hybrid inorganic-organic coatings, the ALD process also enables a top-down approach to hybrid inorganic-organic materials preparation. Using time-separated delivery of precursors and reactants onto soft polymer surfaces in an ALD sequence, sub-surface diffusion and reaction can yield new coordinated or covalent organic- inorganic bonds within the polymer matrix. This is called Sequential Vapour Infiltration (SVI). Precursors can
 infiltrate and react beneath the outer surface, forming a graded organic-inorganic interface, increasing toughness, wear resistance, electrical
 conductivity amongst other properties.

M.Knez et al. Science. 209, 324, 488. M.Knez et al. Chem. Mater. 2015, 27, 181−188

Applications-textile

Food Packaging

Food packaging plays a very important role in preserving food throughout the distribution chain. Without packaging, the distribution and protection of food can become compromised as it could be contaminated by direct contact with physical, chemical, and biological contaminants. In recent years, the development of novel food packaging has not only increased the shelf life of foods, but also their safety and quality.

It is important to protect the product from the surroundings and maintain quality of food. The package barrier properties can be enhanced using ALD coatings of high barrier materials, or multilayered systems combining different functionalities.

M. VÄHÄ-NISSI et al. Cellulose Chem. Technol., 49 (7-8), 575-585 (2015).

Example: Coating with low water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) materials such as Al2O3.

Applications-packaging