Active nanocomposite materials and production method thereof

Abstract

The present invention refers to new active nanocomposite materials, comprising a matrix and additives. The present invention also describes a process for obtaining these nanocomposite materials and their use in various industry sectors.

1 . A nanocomposite material comprising:
 a. a plastic matrix or ceramic matrix, and   b. an additive having a d90 particle size of between 0.1 to 30 microns consisting of montmorillonite modified with a quaternary ammonium salt,   wherein said modified-montmorillonite has intercalated silver salt,   wherein said additive is intercalated in the matrix.   
     
     
         2 . The nanocomposite material of  claim 1 , wherein the quaternary ammonium salt is hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. 
     
     
         3 . The nanocomposite material of  claim 1 , wherein the silver salt is selected from the group consisting of nitrate, acetate, chloride, sulphate and inorganic complexes that include water, nitrate, acetate, amino and a chloride group. 
     
     
         4 . The nanocomposite material of  claim 3 , wherein the silver salt is silver nitrate. 
     
     
         5 . The nanocomposite material of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic matrix is formed by polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, polyketones, polyisocyanates, polysulphonates, styrene plastics, phenolic resins, amide resins, ureic resins, melamine resins, polyester resins, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, polyvinylpyrrolidones, epoxy resins, polyacrylates, rubbers and gums, polyurethanes, silicones, aramids, polybutadiene, polyisoprenes, polyacrylonitriles, PVDF, PVA, PVOH, EVOH, PVC, PVDC, proteins, lipids and biopolyesters or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The nanocomposite material of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix is a plastic matrix and is in a proportion from 20% to 99.99%. 
     
     
         7 . The nanocomposite material of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix is a plastic matrix and the additive is in a proportion from 0.01 to 80%. 
     
     
         8 . The nanocomposite material of  claim 7 , wherein the matrix is a plastic matrix and the additive is in a proportion from 0.01 to 10%. 
     
     
         9 . The nanocomposite material of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic matrix comprises water, clays, deflocculants, feldspar and feldspar sands. 
     
     
         10 . The nanocomposite material of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic matrix is in a proportion from 20% to 99.99%. 
     
     
         11 . The nanocomposite material of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix is a ceramic matrix and the additive is in a proportion from 0.01% to 35%. 
     
     
         12 . The nanocomposite material of  claim 1 , wherein the additive is montmorillonite having intercalated 5% silver nitrate. 
     
     
         13 . The nanocomposite material of  claim 1 , wherein the additive is hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide modified-montmorillonite comprising intercalated silver nitrate. 
     
     
         14 . The nanocomposite material of  claim 13 , wherein the additive is hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide modified-montmorillonite comprising intercalated 5% silver nitrate. 
     
     
         15 . An additive comprising a d90 particle size of between 0.1 to 30 microns consisting of montmorillonite modified with a quaternary ammonium salt, wherein said modified-montmorillonite has intercalated silver salt. 
     
     
         16 . The additive of  claim 15 , wherein the silver salt is silver nitrate. 
     
     
         17 . The additive of  claim 15  comprising a silver salt concentration of 5%. 
     
     
         18 . The additive of  claim 15 , wherein the quaternary ammonium salt is hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. 
     
     
         19 . A process for obtaining a nanocomposite material of  claim 1  comprising the following steps:
 a. reducing the size of montmorillonite clay by mechanical action to particles having a d90 particle size below 30 microns; 
 b. classifying the particles obtained in step (a) by filtration via dry or wet methods; 
 c. treating the montmorillonite particles of step (b) with a quaternary ammonium salt, 
 d. intercalating the silver salt in the modified-montmorillonite particles to obtain the additive; and 
 e. adding the additive to a plastic or ceramic matrix. 
 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein step c comprises the treatment of the montmorillonite particles of step b with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. 
     
     
         21 . A method for imparting antimicrobial properties to a plastic or ceramic material comprising the incorporating the nanocomposite of  claim 1  to the material. 
     
     
         22 . A plastic or ceramic material comprising the nanocomposite of  claim 1 .