Pritam Salunkhe – Jun 23, 2017
Through the application of nanotechnology, existing products such as fuel, cement, or food can be enhanced in their physical or chemical properties by means of nanoadditives / nanofillers manipulated on:
通過納米技術的應用，藉助於在下述尺度下對納米助劑/納米填料的處理，現有產品，如燃料，水泥或食品，可以在物理或化學性質上得到改進：
• Atomic Scale 原子尺度
• Molecular Scale 分子尺度
• Superamolecular Scale 超分子尺度
Based on the application, the manipulation can enhance the properties of the material, improving its strength. For example, it could make the material lighter, and perhaps even boost its electrical conductivity. Graphene, Carbon Nanotubes (CNT), and quantum dots are some examples of nanoadditives that can be used to such ends.
基於其應用，這種處理可以改進材料的性質，包括改進其強度。例如，它可以使材料更輕，或許還能提高其導電性。石墨烯，碳納米管（CNT）和量子點，是納米助劑用於這類終端應用的例子。
Nanoadditives generally fall in the size range of 1 and 100 nanometres, and are generally synthesized from inorganic materials. Due to their nanosize and minimal loading requirement, nanoadditives are eclipsing conventional fillers in today’s industries.
納米助劑通常其尺寸範圍在1-100納米，通常由無機材料合成。由於其納米尺寸和最小的填充量，納米助劑正在當今的工業中取代傳統填料。
Let’s take a look at some commonly available nanoadditives that are used in various industries.
讓我們看一看用於各種行業的一些常見納米助劑。
Nanoadditives and their Applications
納米助劑及其應用
The quantity and type of nanoadditive used varies significantly depending on the end application area. For example:
所用納米助劑的數量和類型極大地取決於其終端應用領域。例如：
• Carbon nanotubes have a wide range of applications that include:
碳納米管具有寬範圍的應用，包括：
o Electronic components電子部件
o Sports goods體育用品
o Vehicles汽車
o Rubber, and橡膠，以及
o So on...如此等等
• Titanium dioxide is commonly used in the food industry.
• 二氧化鈦通常用於食品工業
• Cerium oxide finds a majority of applications as a fuel additive.
• 氧化鈰作為燃油助劑具有廣泛應用
• In the textile industry, nano-silver particles are being used to create antimicrobial fabrics.
• 在紡織品工業，納米銀粒子用於製造抗菌織品。
Apart from these, nanoadditives are also useful in other industries, such as:
此外，納米助劑還用於別的工業，例如：
• Construction建築
• Biomedical生物醫療
• Paints / coatings, and油漆/塗料，以及
• So on...等等
Given its current scope and ongoing R&D, nanotechnology will likely touch every aspect of life, perhaps even as soon as the end of this decade.1
如果基於目前的範圍和正在進行的開發，納米技術將可以觸及生活的每個方面，也許最快就在這個十年的最後幾年。
Types and Structure
類型和結構
Nanoadditives are classified based on their physical structure. Basis the physical structure, there are three main types of nanoadditives:
納米助劑的劃分基於其物理結構。基於此，有三種主要類型的納米助劑：
1. Nanoparticles
納米粒子
Nanoadditives of this type have all three dimensions which fall in the nano scale range. There examples include:
這種類型的納米助劑的三維尺寸都在納米尺度範圍內。例子包括：
o Carbon black炭黑
o Silica, and二氧化矽，以及
o Quantum dots量子點
There has been growing interest in gold nanoparticles that can be used in drug delivery systems for the treatment of cancer. This is mainly due to its biocompatibility and unique physical and chemical properties.2
可以用於藥品輸送系統以治療癌症的金納米粒子，正在引起越來越多重視。這主要由於其生物相容性和獨特的物理化學性質。
2. Rod-like Structures
棒狀結構
These nanoadditive have at least two dimensions that fall in the nano scale range. Some of the rod-like structures which are commonly used for various application areas include:
這些納米助劑至少有二維處於納米尺度範圍內。常用於各種應用領域的一些棒狀結構包括：
o Carbon nanotubes碳納米管
o Metallic nanorods, and金屬納米棒，以及
o Whiskers晶須
Carbon nanotubes have gained tremendous popularity amongst researchers recently. CNTs are rolled-up sheets of graphene which are usually cylindrical in structure, and which further have hexagonal graphite molecules attached at its edges. CNTs exhibit strong thermal and electrical properties, making them viable as electronic chips.
碳納米管目前大受研究人員的歡迎。CNT是捲起來的石墨烯片，其在結構上通常為柱狀，更進一步講，它有六邊形石墨分子連接在其邊緣上。CNT顯示出強的熱性能和電性能，這使得可以實用於電子晶片。
3. Plate-like Structures
板狀結構
Nanoadditive have only one dimension that falls in the nano scale range, while the other dimensions could be in the range of several hundred nanometres to microns. A popular example of this class is Montmorillonites (MMT). After the successful synthesis of graphene from graphite, graphene has started to receive significant research attention recently.3
這類納米助劑只有一維處於納米尺度範圍內，而另外的維度可以處於數百個納米到微米範圍內。這種類型的一個普通例子是蒙脫土（MMT）。在成功從石墨合成石墨烯之後，石墨烯在近來受到了巨大的研究關注。
Although all types of nanoadditives strengthen the targeted material, the alignment of nanoadditives could cause anisotropy. As far as processing is concerned, carbon nanotubes are easier to align due to their rod-like structure. They are also relatively cost-effective as compared to graphene, increasing the likelihood of CNT based composites replacing carbon fibre.4
儘管所有類型的納米助劑都能增強目標材料，但是，納米助劑的取向可以引起各向異性。當涉及到加工時，碳納米管由於其棒狀結構而易於取向。相比於石墨烯，碳納米管還具有相對高的成本-效益，這增加了CNT基複合材料替代碳纖維的相似性。
Nanoparticles in Plastics Industry
用於塑料工業的納米粒子
There are two predominant applications of nanoparticles in the plastics industry:
納米粒子在塑料工業有兩種主要應用：
1. Enhancements強化作用
2. Lowering costs降低成本
Nanoparticles have the ability to enhance plastic’s physical properties such as:
納米粒子有能力增強塑料的物理性質，例如：
• Water repellence憎水性
• Impact resistance耐衝擊性
• Making Plastics electrically conductive使塑料導電
• Preventing bacterial growth on the material’s surface, as well as阻止塑料表面的細菌生長，以及
• Making surfaces easier to clean or more visually enhanced
使表面更易於清潔或者外觀得到改進
They can also go a long way in lowering the cost of plastic articles. This is usually because additives are cheaper than the primary binders conventionally used in manufacturing. Some examples of nanoadditives used for these purposes are:
在降低塑料部件的成本上，可能還有很長的路要走。這通常是因為較之於製造時傳統所用的連接劑（廖註：基體樹脂），助劑要更便宜。用於這類目的的納米助劑例子有：
• Carbon black炭黑
• Titanium dioxide鈦白粉
• Zinc oxide氧化鋅
• Nano-silica納米二氧化矽
• Calcium carbonate碳酸鈣
• Aluminium oxide, and氧化鋁，以及
• Iron鐵
Graphene is a promising nanoadditive for the plastics industry at the moment, performing well in lab tests thus far. The aircraft sector, for instance, is looking at graphene as an additive to enable the creation of a polymer composite matrix with:
石墨烯是目前用於塑料工業的有前途的納米助劑，在目前的實驗室試驗中表現優異。例如，飛機領域正在將石墨烯看做是一種可以用之創造聚合物基複合材料的助劑。
• Higher compressive strength更高的壓縮強度
• Temperature resistance, and耐溫性，以及
• Reduced moisture uptake減少吸溼
There’s also the added advantage of mitigating damage caused due to lightning strikes, as the addition of graphene makes a structure electrically conductive.5
還有一些其它的優點，例如減輕閃電引起的毀壞，因為添加石墨烯使得其在結構上導電。
Companies』 introduction of bioplastic products, instead of traditional petroplastic products, would be an extremely positive step toward environmental responsibility as well, as petroplastics accumulate and degrade the environment. With rapid growth and research in the field of nanotechnology, bioplastics have also incorporated nanotechnology to become cost-effective enough to withstand competition from petroplastics.
公司推出的生物基產品，而不是傳統的石油基塑料產品，也會是邁向環境責任的一個積極步驟，因為石油基塑料會累積和破壞環境。隨著在納米技術領域的快速增長和研究，生物基塑料也與納米技術聯姻而成為具有足夠成本效益，可以經受來自於石油基塑料的競爭。
Bioplastics fall short of petroplastic in terms of mechanical properties such as barrier properties. However research is underway to develop nanoadditives that can overcome this challenge. Currently, among the various silicates available, sepiolite is one of the most suitable nanoadditives for bioplastics. This is because, it provides dimensional stability and mechanical strength along with increased barrier properties against gases.6 Ceraplast, a US organization, has recently commercialized many bioplastic as well biodegradable products (straws, plates, cups) using nanoparticles of silica and magnesium silicate.7
生物基塑料在力學性能，例如阻隔性能上，比不上石油基塑料。但是，研究正在開發可以克服這些挑戰的納米助劑。目前，在各種市售二氧化矽中，海泡石是最適合於生物基塑料的納米助劑。這是因為它提供了尺寸穩定性和力學性能，以及增加的氣體阻隔性。 Ceraplast是一個美國組織，最近使用二氧化矽和鎂的矽酸鹽，商業化了許多生物基塑料和可生物降解產品（吸管，板，杯子）。
.
Hindrance to Growth
增長的阻力
Technical: The issue with using nanoadditives in plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is that there are chances of them clumping together to form large, capsule-like structures. This renders them 『non-nano dimensional』 additives. This non-uniformity of additive distribution would be the key focus of further research, to avoid a negative impact on end products.5
技術：在塑料上，例如PET上，使用納米助劑的問題是，它們有可能堆積在一起形成大尺寸的微膠囊狀的結構。這使得它們變成非納米尺度的助劑。這種助劑分布的非均勻性，會成為進一步研究的關鍵焦點，藉此可以避免對終端產品的負面影響。
Regulatory: Due to certain health risks linked to some nanomaterials (carbon black, TiO2), the disposal of bioplastic could be a problem. When products are composted as such nanomaterials could cause harmful reactions when exposed to certain environmental factors. This would, invariably, be a huge regulatory hurdle. For instance, The European Commission recommends a case-by-case approach for nanomaterial hazard identification.8 We believe more research and experience would thus be necessary, which could delay overall product commercialization procedures.
法規：由於與某些納米材料（炭黑，鈦白粉）相關的一些健康風險，生物基塑料的處理可能是個問題。當產品分解時，這樣的納米材料在曝露於某些環境因素時可能引起有害的反應。這必然會是一個巨大的法規障礙。例如，歐洲委員會推薦了一個逐個案例法用於納米材料的風險確認。我們認為，更多的研究和經驗是必須的，這將會延遲總的產品商業化進程。
Nanoadditives for Rubber Applications
納米產品用於橡膠
To make rubber electrically and thermally conductive, a very little amount of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNT) loading is required, which further enhances mechanical properties. The adaptation of SWCNT, however, is a bit slow. This is a matter of concern due to its high cost and complex processing when compared to multi-walled carbon nanotubes. OCSiAl, the Russian company pioneering this technology, has developed SWCNT additives that can be added in concentrations starting from as low as 0.01%. And with a price 75 times lower than that of its closest analogues. Thus creating amazing possibilities for a range of applications9 such as:
為了使橡膠導電導熱，只需要添加很少量的單壁碳納米管（SWCNT），它可以進一步提高力學性能。但是，採用SWCNT還有點慢。它之所以被關注，是因為其相對於多壁碳納米管具有高的成本和複雜的加工。OCSiAl是在這方面技術領先的俄國公司，開發了SWCNT助劑，可以添加的最小濃度達0.01%之低。其價格比同類產品低75倍。該產品為寬範圍的應用創造了令人驚訝的可能性，例如：
• Gaskets襯墊
• Tyres輪胎
• Enclosures for electronic components, and電子部件包覆
• So on...等等
Hindrance for Growth
增長的阻礙
Technical: Though companies are developing nanoadditives for rubber, there are problems associated with addition of nanomaterials like CNT into polymer matrix of rubber and its adhesion therein. This mainly because of high aspect ratio of CNT and high viscosity of rubber.10
技術：儘管公司在開發用於橡膠的納米助劑，但是還是存在相關的問題，例如如何把CNT這樣的納米材料添加到橡膠聚合物基體之中，以及它在基體聚合物中的粘附問題。這主要是由於CNT具有高的徑厚比和橡膠具有高的粘度。
Nanotechnology in Food Industry
納米技術用於食品工業
In the food industry, nanotechnology helps control how food looks, tastes, and even how long it lasts. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the predominant nanoadditive in the food sector. The packaging of the food also involves the use of nanotechnology. Phyllosilicates, polyolefin based nanoadditives are currently used to make oxygen scavenging food packages.
在食品工業，納米技術有助於控制食品的外觀、風味以及其存在的壽命。二氧化鈦（TiO2）是食品領域佔優勢的納米助劑。食品包裝也涉及到使用納米技術。層狀矽酸鹽，作為聚烯烴基納米助劑，目前用於製造除氧食品包裝。
Some more techniques/applications also include:11
某些更多的技術/應用還包括：
• Using polypropylene and polyethylene barriers to inhibit moisture in the package
• 使用聚丙烯和聚乙烯阻隔層來阻止包裝吸溼。
• Coating the food package with nano-silver particles in order to make them antimicrobial, and
• 用納米銀粒子塗覆食品包裝，使之抗菌，以及
• Embedding silicon-based nanoparticles into the package to detect pathogens
• 在包裝中包埋矽基納米粒子，以探測病菌。
Hindrance for Growth
增長的阻礙
Technical: A significant concern while using nanotechnology in the food sector is that the nanomaterials used in packaging could be transmitted to the food, affecting food quality and shelf life. The risk of using nanomaterials in food is hard to quantify at this time as well, as the research in this area isn’t extensive. While some initial studies uncovered health risks, this wasn’t the case for all nanomaterials looked into.
技術：當納米技術應用於食品領域時，一個巨大的關心是，用於包裝的納米材料可能轉移到食品，影響食品質量和貨架壽命。在食品上使用納米材料的風險現在難於定量化，因為這個領域的研究不夠廣泛。儘管一些原始研究揭示了健康風險，但是這不是所有納米材料要深入探究的情形。
Regulatory: As per a very recent update, titanium dioxide, the most commonly used additive, is under review after it was linked to elevated risks of cancer. Its use is expected to be curbed due to stringent regulations by various regulatory bodies.12
法規：根據最新信息，二氧化鈦，一種罪常用的助劑，在其被指與升高的癌症風險有關後，正在接受調查。由於各個法規團體的嚴苛的法規杯葛，其應用有可能受到限制。
Other Applications
其它應用
In the electronics industry, additive manufacturing techniques like 3D printing and inkjet printing are gaining traction to make sensors and other components. This is becuase, they reduce the wastage of material. Conductive inks are used in these cases, and they are mainly formed using silver nanoadditives.
在電子工業，助劑製造技術，例如3D列印和噴墨印刷，正在受到歡迎，以製造傳感器和別的部件。這是因為它們減少了材料浪費。導電油墨用於這些情況，它們主要使用銀納米助劑製造。
Apart from this, CNT and graphene also have scope to be used in semiconductor chips, replacing silicon. This due their better electrical conductivity, electron flow rate as well as the miniaturization of chips where silicon reach its minimum size limit.
此外，CNT和石墨烯在半導體晶片上也可以取代矽單晶而有可用武之地。這是由於它們具有較好的導電性、電子流動速度和晶片的小型化，而矽晶片已經達到其最小尺寸極限。
In the textiles industry, CNT, nanoparticles of silica, TiO2, ZnO, and silver are added with fabric material for:
在紡織工業，CNT，石英、TiO2、ZnO和銀的納米粒子，都可以加添加到織物材料之中，其目的在於：
• Enhanced antibacterial properties提高的抗菌性能
• Odor control氣味控制
• UV protection，UV保護
• Water and oil repellence憎水或憎油
• Wrinkle resistance, and抗皺褶
• Strength enhancements強度提高
Nanoadditives also have a host of applications in:
納米助劑在下述領域還有許多應用：
• Coatings for metal surface treatment用於金屬表面處理的塗層
• Lightweight automotive parts, and輕量化汽車部件，以及
• Personal care products such as sunscreens個人護理產品，例如防曬
Apart from application-specific issues, there are several other hindrances. Scalable production is also a challenge for the commercialization of nanomaterials. This is because they are made of scarce resources and are manufactured by slow or complex processes, all of which impact the cost significantly. Given that the average gap between research, completion, and commercialization of a nanotechnology product is anywhere between three to five years, firms face challenges in obtaining funding for sufficient R&D. Another concern will be to reduce carbon emissions while manufacturing these nanomaterial-based products so as to make them climate-neutral and recyclable.
除了具體應用問題之外，還有其它的一些障礙。批量化生產對於納米助劑的商業化還是一個挑戰。這是因為它們是由稀有資源在慢而複雜的工藝下製造的，這些都極大地影響成本。假定納米技術的研究、定型和商業化平均時間在三到五年之間，那麼企業在獲得足夠資助以支持研發上會面臨挑戰。另一個關心是在製造納米材料基產品時減少碳排放，以使得這些產品為氣候中性，並可以回收。
7 Key Players of Nanoadditive Market
納米市場的7個關鍵玩家
Here are some key players that are looking into nanoadditives and their possible applications:
有一些關鍵玩家在探索納米助劑及其可能的應用：
1. Nanostructured & Amorphous Materials Inc (Nanoamor) - A relatively younger company than the others in this list, it is a leading nanomaterial supplier involved in R&D as well as manufacturing of nanoadditives such as:
Nanostructured & Amorphous Materials Inc (Nanoamor)公司-一個比列表中其它公司相對年輕的公司，它是一個領先的納米材料供應商，涉及納米材料的研發和製造，例如
o Carbon nanotubes碳納米管
o Nanofibers納米纖維
o Graphene石墨烯
o Graphene oxides, and氧化石墨烯，以及
o So on...等等
All these nanoadditives find applications in batteries, conductive plastics, and conductive coatings.
所有這些納米助劑在電池、導電塑料和導電塗料上有應用。
2. Reade Advanced Materials - Specializing in toll processing and toll packaging services. This company also researches specialty chemicals that include nanoadditives such as:
Reade Advanced Materials公司-專注於代理加工和代理包裝服務，該公司也研究特種化學品，包括納米助劑，例如：
o Carbon nanotubes碳納米管
o Carbon fiber碳纖維
o Carbon black炭黑
o Ceramic, and陶瓷，以及
o So on...等等
These specialty chemicals could have future applications in electronic displays, batteries, supercapacitors, and many more.
這些特殊化學品可能會在電子顯示器、電池、超級電容和許多其它應用上有進一步的應用前景。
3. AkzoNobel - This chemical firm provides performance additives used to optimize materials for coatings/paints. Some of their nanoadditives based products include nano colloidal silica and resin reinforced with silica nanoparticles.
AkzoNobel 公司-該化學公司提供性能助劑用於優化塗層和油漆材料。它們的一些納米助劑基產品包括納米膠體二氧化矽，以及用納米粒子增強的樹脂。
4. DuPont - This leading chemical company offers various additives and modifiers useful for:
杜邦公司-這個領先的化學公司提供各種助劑和改性劑，用於：
o Agricultural industry農業
o Biotechnology industry, and生物技術行業，以及
o Food industry食品工業
Some of the offerings, such as TiO2-based nanoadditives, are also useful in the packaging industry.
某些產品，例如TiO2基納米助劑，在包裝工業非常有用。
5. 3M - A multinational conglomerate, this company is looking into nanoadditives that have applications across a number of sectors such as:
3M公司-一個跨國集團，該公司正在探究把你助劑，其具有的應用跨及諸多領域，如：
o Dental牙科
o Automotive汽車
o Electronics電子
o Food, and食品，以及
o So on...等等
6. Henkel - Henkel provides nano-ceramics as an additive used in the surface treatment process for metals. Henkel has also recently developed a conductive ink using silver nanowires, useful in the electronics domain.
Henkel-Henkel公司提供納米陶瓷作為助劑，用於金屬表面處理工藝。Henkel近來還開發了一種導電油墨，使用的是銀納米線作為導電劑，用於電子領域。
7. Toyota Central R&D Labs Inc - This group is looking into materials with applications in the automotive industry. Toyota Central R&D Labs have several innovations to boast of, including novel carbon nanotubes with high thermal conductivity as well as electrical insulation that form polymer composites with less than 1% of CNT loading.
Toyota Central R&D Labs Inc –該集團探索用於汽車工業的材料。該公司有幾個值得誇耀的創新，包括新型碳納米管，在小於1%的CNT填充量下獲得的聚合物基複合材料，具有高導熱率和電絕緣性。
Conclusion
結論
Based on size and compatibility, all three types of nanoadditives have a different and wide range of applications. Researchers are also looking into innovative application areas where nanoadditives can be used. This gives us an inkling of the tremendous growth this sector could see in the future.
基於尺寸和相容性，所有這些類型的納米助劑具有不同的和寬範圍的應用。研究人員還在探索納米助劑可以應用的創新性應用領域。這暗示著該領域在未來會有巨大的增長。
However, there are certain obstacles that need to be tackled by leading research firms, both regulatory and financial. After regulatory clearances and the successful adaptation of nanotechnology however, securing finance for further research and development shouldn’t be a problem, possibly even cutting down production costs in future generations.
但是，還有一些障礙有待領先的研究公司去克服，既有法規障礙，也有金融障礙。排除法規障礙並採用納米技術之後，尋求金融資助以支持進一步的研究和開發，應該不是一個問題，即使未來需要削減生產成本。
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