Arkema at JEC Composites 2007 Show Hall 1 Stand M22 Paris, April 3 rd to 5 th, 2007 Arkema will exhibit at the JEC Composites 2007 Show, in Paris (France), from April 3rd to 5th 2007. Arkema today is the only chemicals producer in the world to manufacture a range of acrylic block copolymers, marketed under the tradename Nanostrength ; their main innovation lies in the use of an acrylic block that is miscible with a large number of polymers, most of which are industrial epoxy resins. Nanostrength is produced on a semi-industrial scale in a plant within Arkema s Mont facility (France / Pyrénées-Atlantiques) with a capacity of several hundreds of metric tonnes per year. Thanks to its BlocBuilder controlled radical polymerization technology, Arkema also offers the composite market the FlexiBloc TM reactive polymer which allows the nanostructuring of an elastomeric phase within the matrix, affording significantly superior impact strength. Arkema produces carbon nanotubes marketed under the tradename Graphistrength at its Lacq site (France / Pyrénées-Atlantiques). The plant s 10 metric tonne/year capacity makes Arkema a major world player in the field of carbon nanotubes. With these new production capacities, Arkema confirms its ambition to further develop nanostructured materials. Its position as a leader and essential player in this field was boosted in particular by the consolidation of its partnership with Zyvex for the production and distribution of carbon nanotubes, and by the signing of a preferred procurement agreement for carbon nanotubes with Nanoledge. www.graphistrength.com info.graphistrength@arkema.com www.blocbuilder.com www.nanostrength.com Graphistrength, Nanostrength and BlocBuilder are Arkema registered trademarks.
Arkema at JEC Composites 2007 Show Hall 1 Stand M22 Paris, April 3 rd to 5 th, 2007 CONTACTS Graphistrength Nanostrength CONTACT: Jean-Marc Corpart +33 (0)4 72 39 83 13 jean-marc.corpart@arkema.com BlocBuilder Technology CONTACT: Laurent Gervat +33 (0)1 49 00 88 77 laurent.gervat@arkema.com CONTACT: Daniel Lebouvier +33 (0)1 49 00 71 15 daniel.lebouvier@arkema.com PRESS CONTACT: Sybille CHAIX Tél: +33 (0)1 49 00 70 30 Email: sybille.chaix@arkema.com
Arkema, A World Chemical Major Arkema at JEC Composites 2007 Show Hall 1 Stand M22 Paris, April 3 rd to 5 th, 2007 A global chemical player, Arkema consists of 3 coherent and related business segments: - Vinyl Products: ChlorineCaustic Soda, PVC, Vinyl Compounds, Pipes and Profiles (Alphacan), - Industrial Chemicals: Acrylics, PMMA and Methacrylics (Altuglas International), Thiochemicals, Fluorochemicals, Hydrogen Peroxide, - Performance Products: Technical Polymers, Specialty Chemicals (Ceca), Functional Additives. Present in over 40 countries with 17,000 employees, Arkema achieved sales of 5.7 billion euros in 2006. With its 6 research centers in France, the United States and Japan, and internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.
Arkema at JEC Composites 2007 Show Hall 1 Stand M22 Paris, April 3 rd to 5 th, 2007 Arkema chemicals at the heart of everyday life Arkema s products are the basis of countless applications in every sector of daily life that help make progress accessible to as many people as possible. Customers: the focus of our concerns Arkema is committed to establishing genuine partnerships with its customers, by - Optimizing commercial relations, through greater mutual understanding, - Delivering innovation, through greater synergies with its customers, - Enhancing our presence in the market, through technical expertise. Arkema and sustainable development Arkema is committed to establishing lasting activities that are competitive and safe for man and the environment, by offering innovative products and services that enhance the quality of life for present and future generations. Controlling the impact of our activities Arkema has put in place environmental management systems at its production facilities that are based on the ongoing improvement of performance. Promoting a safety culture Arkema s policy and commitments place industrial safety at the heart of its objectives, with the desire to establish the same lasting safety culture throughout its activities.
Arkema at JEC Composites 2007 Show Hall 1 Stand M22 Paris, April 3 rd to 5 th, 2007 Priority to dialog Because progress cannot be built on misunderstandings, Arkema encourages local dialog with all its natural partners: dialog between personnel and management to anticipate the inevitable evolution of structures and organizations, and community-based dialog to heed the legitimate expectations of stakeholders, in particular people living in the vicinity of its production facilities. Product stewardship Arkema s involvement embraces the entire product lifecycle, from design, raw material procurement, and production, through to packaging, transportation, safe use, and end of life. Product stewardship implies even greater knowledge and improvement of products in order to minimize risks to man and the environment.
From Laboratory to Industrial Manufacture Carbon nanotubes or nanotube compounds (NTCs) represent a new crystalline form of carbon. In 1991, the Japanese scientist Sumio Iijima synthesized fullerenes by electric arc, and during his analysis work discovered a hard, black and fibrous product: carbon nanotubes. Although this discovery is relatively recent, the prospects opened by this new material, together with previous studies on carbon fibers, have allowed synthesis processes to develop very fast. Several types of carbon - Diamond, a transparent mineral Chemical bonds between atoms are strong, and the tetrahedral symmetry is that of a dense and isotropic material. It is an electrical insulator, and the best refractory and thermal conductor known. - Graphite, a black and friable mineral Its structure consists of layers stacked together, each formed of regular hexagons of carbon atoms. This structure is 1/3rd weaker than that of diamond, making graphite an anisotropic and
virtually two-dimensional solid. The layers are connected together by weak forces, and slip easily over one another. It is a semi-metal within the layer, with little conductivity in the other direction. - Fullerene, or Buckminsterfullerene This molecule consists of 60 carbon atoms placed at the top of a regular polyhedron whose sides are hexagons or pentagons. Fullerene is electrophilic. It features high resistivity (approximately 1014 Ω/cm). Fullerene has a few applications, including microporous filters, sample supports for electronic microscopes, lubricants, etc.
- Carbon nanotubes Carbon nanotubes are a closed pipe-shaped material consisting of crystallized carbon. The length of the nanotubes can reach several microns, while their diameter ranges from 1 nm to 60 nm. The nanotube is represented by a graphene sheet wrapped or coiled based on a reference axis and direction. The helix angle (helicity) is variable, ranging from 0 to 30. Nanotubes are closed by distortion of the hexagons, and by the introduction of pentagons in the nanotube structure. There are several types of nanotubes. Nanotubes are structured into single walls (Single Wall Nano Tubes, SWNTs) or multi walls (Multi Wall Nano Tubes, MWNTs). The tubes nest within one another, with the distance between the walls close to the distance between two graphite planes (0.34 nm). Both structures are the result of different synthesis conditions. - There are several types of nanotubes Synthesis The phenomenon of carbon nanotube growth is not fully understood. However, observations from experiments point to the following growth diagram: The carbon derived from a gas source, e.g. ethylene, breaks down in contact with iron. Following carbon saturation of the iron support
particles, the carbon graphitizes into a tubular shape on the surface of the particle, and forms multilayer NTCs. The reaction stops when the nanotube layer is such that the ethylene can no longer come into contact with the iron. The detailed synthesis process for carbon nanotubes is confidential. Opposite is a simplified diagram of the main stages of the process: 1. Ethylene constitutes the source of carbon needed for the growth of nanotubes. The catalyst constitutes the source of iron. 2. The synthesis of nanotubes takes place at high temperature, on a fluidized bed. 3. The NTC powder is recovered and formulated to acquire optimum dispersive properties.
Properties Carbon nanotubes feature remarkable physico-chemical properties that make this material a promising solution in many areas. The following properties should be noted in particular: Electrical conductivity: Carbon nanotubes are conductors or semiconductors, based on coiling helicity. Their conductivity ranges from 1 S/cm to 100 S/cm. This property has been calculated and verified in experiments. Thermal conductivity: Carbon nanotubes feature thermal conductivity close to that of diamond (3000 J/K), the best thermal conductor known. Mechanical performance: In the hexagon plane, the Young s modulus for carbon nanotubes has been theoretically evaluated at 1TPa. Together with this outstanding strength, carbon nanotubes boast high flexibility and good plasticity. Adsorption: Nanotubes were first studied with the objective of becoming a means of storing hydrogen for the new fuel cells. Although this application has been gradually discarded, the fact remains that nanotubes have an empty space around the cylinder axis, which can constitute a nanotank. The specific surface of nanotubes is approximately 250 m2/g, imparting good adsorption capacity.
Applications Applications for carbon nanotubes are many. The outstanding properties listed above open up many prospects: The most direct application under study consists in using carbon nanotubes as an additive for thermoplastic, thermoset and elastomer polymers. Just as carbon black is used in industry to make polymers conductive, the specific properties of carbon nanotubes can be transferred into the matrices, as long as the additive is properly dispersed in the composite. It is possible to impart very specific properties to nanotubes (thermal and electrical conductivity, greater mechanical strength, adsorption), or even multifunctionality: The addition of NTCs into a polymer for example helps achieve good electrical conductivity, and as a result eliminate electrostatic discharges, while maintaining and improving the polymer s mechanical properties (light weight, elasticity, strength, etc.). This makes it possible therefore to create conductive polymers for applications in motorcars, electronic components, defense, medicine, etc. Compared with traditional additives such as carbon black, smaller quantities yield the same electrical properties. Transmission electron microscopy photograph of Multi Wall Nanotubes
Many other applications are being developed: Carbon nanotubes feature outstanding qualities in catalysis. Their chemical inertia, hightemperature stability under inert atmosphere, and porosity are due to their carbon nature. Apart from these properties not unlike those of activated carbon, carbon nanotubes boast a large external surface area and a strong interaction between metal and support. BMC bicycle frame made of nanotube-reinforced resin, 2005 Tour de France. belongs to the network of partners. The absence of microporosity enables fast access to the sites. Carbon nanotubes allow increased activity and superior selectivity. Finally, their outstanding mechanical properties no longer limit the lifetime of the catalyst. This concerns hydrogenation, selective oxidization, hydro-desulfurization, etc In the energy sector, carbon nanotubes could be used in the development of electrodes, the storage of energy, etc A great many applications are under study and remain confidential.