TEC STAR is an Italian company that provides full service solutions for nanotechnology including analysis, development, and industrial supply of nanoparticles. They specialize in developing nanocomposite polymers by adding nanoparticles to materials like polypropylene, polyurethane and PMMA to improve properties such as mechanical strength, flame resistance, and barrier effects. Their process involves characterizing polymer materials, producing nanoparticle-enhanced masterbatches, injection molding test parts, and analyzing the distribution and resulting performance enhancements of the nanoparticles within the polymer matrices.

1. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
TEC STAR: your FULL partner in nanotecnology
Complete problem solving service: from the analysis of the “state of the art” to the industrial supply
of nanoparticles
INNOVATION BY NANOPARTICLES:
nanocomposite polymers
Dr. Alberto Borghi – Vicepresident

2. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Nanoparticles are different – why?

3. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Nanoparticles are different – great
interfacial area

4. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Nanoparticles - applications

5. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Nanoparticles - applications

6. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Carbon Nanotubes

7. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Nanocomposites – micro vs nano
Properties you can increase:
• Strength of materials
• Diffusion barriers
• Tensile strength and impact resistance
• Flame retardancy
• Adhesives

8. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Industrial applications

9. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Nanocomposites - nanoclay
PMMA nanocomposite with different % nanoclays

10. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Surface effects
The Lotus Effect – Superhydrophobic Surfaces

11. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Nanocomposite coating – paint & varnish
Modification of epoxy resins is still necessary since some application in the
engineering area require higher mechanical and thermal properties.
Different types of nanoparticles such as graphite nanofiber, carbon nanotubes,
nanoclays, cellulose nanofiber, and nanoalumina have been utilized to enhance the
epoxy resin properties.

12. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Nanocomposite polymers
DEPEND ON: MATRIX, NANOFILLERS, etc.
 Automobile (gasoline tanks, bumpers, interior and exterior panels, etc.).
 Construction (shaped extrusions, panels).
 Electronics and electrical (printed circuits, electric components).
 Food packaging (containers, films).
 Cosmetics (controlled release of “active ingredients”).
 Dentistry (filling materials).
 Environment (biodegradable materials).
 Gas barrier (tennis balls, food and beverage packaging).
 Flame retardant.
 Military, aerospace, and commercial applications.

13. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Nanocomposite polymers

14. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Nanocomposite polymers

15. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Nanocomposite polymers – case histories

16. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Nanocomposite polymers – case histories

17. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Activities
POLYMERS:
TEC STAR customizes and produces nanoparticles that, used as nanofillers in place of traditional fillers, are
able to intercalate and bond to the polymer chains, as a consequence of their typical nanometric dimension
and huge specific surface. In this way it is possible to tune different properties (mechanical, electrical,
magnetic, flame resistance, etc.) with filler concentration within the matrix not larger than 2-5% wt. and
with no variation of material workability.
Polymers treated:
. Polypropylene
. Polyurethane
. PMMA
. PEEK
Distribution of metal oxide nanoparticles in polypropylene.
SEM cross section picture of PUR. SEM cross section picture of nanocomposite PUR (a) SiO2
nanoparticles; (b) TiO2 nanoparticles.
(a) (b)

18. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Example
Problem: to improve the impact resistance of a thermoplastic polymer, obtained by injection
molding.
Activity:
a) characterization of the molded part:
• Mechanical properties (tensile test – ISO 527; bending test – ISO 178; impact test – ISO
180, Vicat – ISO 306, HDT – ISO 75, MFI – ISO 1133)
• SEM/Focused Ion Beam – to check the nanoparticles distribution inside the polymer
b) production of real parts using injection molding, starting from
nanocomposite masterbatches.

19. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Example
Results: improvement of mechanical properties of nanocomposite polymer with respect the
standard one.
5%wt of nanoparticles

20. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Example
SEM/FIB pictures show uniform distribution of nanoparticles inside the polymer.

21. TEC STAR S.r.l.
Viale Europa, 40 – 41011 Campogalliano (Italy)
Tel. (+39)059 526845 – Fax (+39)059 527000
C.F./P. IVA 03209920366
Contacts
Dr. Alberto Borghi
borghi@tec-star.it
TEC STAR Srl
Viale Europa, 40
41011 Campogalliano (MO) - Italy
Tel (+39)059.526845
Fax (+39)059.527000